March 23, 2008 Dog ordered euthanized for allegedly killing goat Play video

(NECN: Rowley, Mass.) - A fight involving two pet owners is playing out this week. Town selectmen say a local dog attacked and killed the pet goat of another local family last month. The selectmen now have ordered the dog be euthanized.

Niko, a black Labrador retriever mix got loose from his home at 226 Boxford Road in mid-February, crossed into a neighboring property and reportedly killed a pet goat owned by Melissa and Richard Lebel. The Lebel's also have two more goats in the same pen.

After emotional pleas by both pet owners the select board ordered the dog euthanized. Although no one witnessed the incident, the dog is presumed to have taken the life of the goat by biting its neck, and severely wounding another animal.

Niko's owner intends to appeal the board's decision, suggesting that the dog had chased away a coyote that had done the killing. Niko was found in the pen with the dead goat, however he was not covered in blood after the attack.

NECN's Stephen Iandoli has more.