“We have to work together because we are serving the same citizens,” Spurgeon said.
‘I had no idea what it meant’
For Travis, whose dogs were killed, talk of cross-deputization agreements is of little comfort.
He filed a civil lawsuit against his neighbor shortly after the incident.
His attorney in the case, Tony Allen, said his client had little choice.
“Mr. Travis’ situation is one where he’s in a limbo area where there’s nothing criminally that, it appears, could happen,” Allen said. “That’s why we decided to pursue the civil suit.”
The lawsuit, filed in Tulsa County District Court, alleges civil trespass, creation of a nuisance, property damage and infliction of emotional distress in a petition that seeks a judgment in excess of $75,000 and an order declaring the dogs to be “dangerous” or a “nuisance.”
Travis, in an interview with the World, said it’s been difficult to get over the tragedy.
Lucy and Katy, the 5-year-old pets Travis said he has owned since they were 8 weeks old, were “my family.”
“It’s been a month and half, and nothing’s been done,” Travis said. “The people are still there. The dogs are still there. It’s a bad situation.”