Animal Care and Control Commission Special Meeting - May 29, 2026

The Evansville Animal Care and Control Commission held a special meeting on May 29, 2026, to conduct two dangerous dog hearings. The commission found probable cause for both complaints, declared all four dogs dangerous, and imposed restrictions. The meetings began at 3:55 PM and included testimony from complainants, witnesses, respondents, and animal control staff.

First Hearing: Dogs King and Nala

• Complainant Dwayne Allison of 6517 Old Boonville Highway testified that his sheep "Tinkerbell" was attacked twice by two dogs (King and Nala) on November 30, 2025, and December 30, 2025, and a third time on April 28, 2026. The sheep suffered life-threatening injuries and was later euthanized. A witness, Pat Buckingham of 2540 Pertham Court, testified that the same dogs killed her cat on November 30, 2025. Allison stated he had contacted animal control after the December incident but the dogs were returned to the owner.
• Respondent's sister, Robin Dawson of 1316 Keller Street, testified on behalf of owner Cassie Banks (who was ill). Dawson stated the dogs had been around children without incident and she was unaware of the cat attack. Dawson did not know if the dogs were spayed or neutered.
• Animal Control Superintendent Heather McDaniel reported that King and Nala have a history of at least five prior impoundments since 2022, are not spayed or neutered, and have not shown aggression toward people at the shelter.
• The commission voted unanimously (5-0) to find probable cause and then declared both dogs dangerous. They imposed restrictions including: outdoors must be attended and leashed or in a secured fenced area (items 3 and 4), posting signs (item 7), spaying/neutering (item 9), microchipping (item 10), and fines for noncompliance (items 12 and 13). Additionally, the commission ordered the dogs to be spayed/neutered and vaccinated before release.

Second Hearing: Dogs Jade and Bucky

• Complainant Jeff Moore of 1501 Larkinwood Lane testified that on April 30, 2026, at about 6:15 AM, two dogs (Jade and Bucky) owned by Jennifer Barnett attacked his Shih Tzu while he was walking her on a leash. Moore sustained a superficial bite on his hand, and his dog had two superficial abdominal bites. Moore described the dogs as extremely aggressive and persistent, following him to a neighbor's home and later to his own driveway. His wife Susan Moore and neighbor Peggy Chastain of 1504 Victoria Green Boulevard corroborated the events.
• Respondent Jennifer Barnett of 2301 Kathleen Avenue testified that her dogs are escape artists but not vicious. She disputed the severity of the attack, stating she never saw the incident despite being in the neighborhood. Barnett acknowledged the dogs had gotten out 16 times but said she had been repairing the fence and that the dogs are friendly. She has a voucher to spay them but had not yet done so due to family issues.
• Animal Control Superintendent reported four prior loose dog calls for Barnett's address since 2024, and no records of rabies vaccinations. The dogs have not shown aggression at the shelter.
• The commission found probable cause and declared Jade and Bucky dangerous (motion by Lisa, second by Linda, all aye). They also determined no serious bodily injury occurred. Restrictions imposed: outdoors must be attended and leashed or in a secured fenced area (items 3 and 4), posting signs at front and back (item 7), spaying/neutering (item 9), microchipping (item 10), fines for noncompliance (items 12 and 13), and a requirement for animal control to inspect the fence. The commission also ordered the dogs to be spayed/neutered and vaccinated before release.

Key Outcomes

• Both sets of dogs (King, Nala, Jade, and Bucky) were declared dangerous under Evansville Municipal Code Section 6.05.150.
• Owners are required to register the animals, notify animal control of any changes, comply with all imposed restrictions, and complete spay/neuter and vaccinations before the dogs can be reclaimed from the shelter.
• Both parties have 10 days to appeal the decisions to Vanderburgh County Superior or Circuit Court.
• The meeting was adjourned after both hearings concluded.