Officials warn of "kill a pit bull " threats

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) -- Animal control officials in Fort Wayne are cautioning pet owners to be extra vigilant with their dogs and cats on Halloween night after a posting on the Internet designated Oct. 31 as "Kill a Pit Bull Night."

Peggy Bender is the community relations for Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control.  She said the shelter received calls last Thursday about a flier they saw on the Internet. 

“We became really concerned in reading the flier because not only was it only saying to go out and kill pit bulls, but it was actually describing all the terrible ways you should do this,” said Bender.

Bender said it was a hoax that was started from a legislation from a council person in Slater, Missouri trying to ban pit bulls, which didn't pass.

"Our department, of course, is very concerned because you never know who's going to take something serious that was actually met to be a hoax," she said.

Randy Thornton, Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control Enforcement Division Supervisor, said he was surprised  to find out about the hoax to kill someone's animal on Halloween. He said this is a serious matter and Fort Wayne will not tolerate this type of behavior.

“Everybody knows that we’re really on top of animal crimes in Fort Wayne, so I think I said this before, if you do something like this, we’re going to catch you,” said Thornton.

He said there will be extra patrols on Halloween to prevent such behavior.

If someone is caught and found guilty, Thornton said there are many different charges and fines depending on the nature of the crime. In this case, someone could be charged with torture of an animal, which could lead to at least one year in prison.

Officials say pets will be safest if they are kept inside the house.