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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Driver dead in single-vehicle crash near Ashland ... Medford swim fans want indoor pool ... Lassoing Legend ... Driver dead in single-vehicle crash near Ashland ... Medford swim fans want indoor pool ... Lassoing Legend ... OUR VIEW Our View: Make dog owner pay for fatal attack MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jun. 12, 2016 @ 12:01 am Posted Jun. 12, 2016 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> In what can only be described as a vicious, heartless attack, three dogs mauled to death a single, smaller dog, a Jack Russell terrier out for a walk with his owner in southwest Medford. The attacking dogs were vicious, but it was their owner who was reportedly heartless, and if it is proven, prosecutors should throw the book at him. This was more than a dog attack; this was an attack on the community, an act that puts fear into dog owners and casual walkers alike. If we are not safe walking our dogs, how safe are our children playing outside? There is no higher calling for law enforcement than making us feel safe on our own streets and in our own front yards. According to Medford police, the terrier's owner was walking her pet on a leash near South Medford High School when she encountered a man walking three dogs, also leashed. Although she kept her distance, one of the man's dogs broke free and attacked her dog. Police said the man then followed with the other two dogs, who joined in. He did nothing to intervene, and when her dog stopped moving, he collected his dogs and left, threatening to let them attack her if she continued to follow him. A responding police officer took her dog to a veterinarian, but the injuries were too severe and the animal had to be euthanized. Police later tracked down Charles Everett Nathan, 36, who lives on Orchard Home Drive, and arrested him on charges of methamphetamine and heroin possession and misdemeanor charges of menacing and first- and second-degree animal abuse. This case deserves to be treated with the utmost seriousness. If Nathan is found guilty of these charges, prosecutors should seek the maximum possible punishment to send a message that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated. Dog ownership carries with it the responsibility to train and supervise animals so they do not injure or kill other animals or people. Not being able to walk a dog without fear of a fatal attack strikes at the very heart of what makes a community a place where you want to live. The actions of the dogs in this case have violated that sense of community more profoundly than Nathan's sad, self-abusing drug use ever could. And it is the owner who is responsible for the behavior of his animals. The dogs are not to blame, but they will likely pay the ultimate price — meaning Nathan likely will be responsible for the death of four dogs. If he's convicted, the price he pays should be significant. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jun. 12, 2016 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments Terms of Service /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501