2 Dogs Get Reprieve From Death Sentence

BEND, Ore. —  Two dogs that had been sentenced to death for chasing sheep were released Wednesday to their happy owners a day after persuading the sheep’s owner to withdraw his complaint.

Lynn Stone picked up her golden retriever, Jessie, and her beagle, Chase, Wednesday afternoon from a private kennel where they had been held for three months.

Stone said her 8-year-old daughter, Kayla, was thrilled. “We’ve done a couple of dances,” she said.

William Keith Kays had signed the complaint against Jessie and Chase on Jan. 5 after catching them running after his small flock of sheep. No sheep were harmed, although the dogs did have wool in their mouths. Still, a 24-year-old Oregon law demanded death.

The case drew tremendous public sympathy, with the governor’s office getting about 100 calls a day in late January.

Stone hired a lawyer, Chris Eck, to challenge the death order. Last week, a judge ordered a new hearing. Two Deschutes County commissioners signed papers Wednesday authorizing the dogs’ release.

County commissioners also adopted an ordinance this month giving a second chance to dogs who are first-time offenders and haven’t hurt livestock.