Jul 15, 2022, Statement on Niko
ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VA – On Thursday, July 14, Albemarle County implemented the Albemarle County Circuit Court’s order to dispose of the dog, Niko, pursuant to Virginia Code § 3.2-6562.
Niko has been in the custody of Albemarle County, impounded at the local SPCA, since December 2014, after two local Courts declared Niko to be a Dangerous Dog under Virginia Code § 3.2-6540.1 and ordered the dog to be euthanized, as a result of the following incidents:
- In 2013, Niko injured a dog
- In 2014, Niko injured a second dog and was declared to be a “dangerous dog” by the Albemarle General District Court
- In 2014, Niko killed a neighbor’s cat
In 2016, while impounded at the local SPCA, Niko escaped his handler and injured a third dog.
After a series of appeals, the Virginia Court of Appeals affirmed the Circuit Court’s ruling. Albemarle County received the final order to dispose of Niko on June 10, 2022.
