A Eugene couple say they can no longer enjoy their yard after a neighbor’s dogs, with a history of dangerous behavior, broke in and attacked and killed their cat.
EUGENE, Ore. — Two Eugene men say there’s still much to do after their cat was killed on July 4 when neighbors’ dogs ran into their yard and attacked their cat.
Jeff Varco and Bob James are mourning the death of their beloved cat Zeke, who was reportedly injured in the neck by one of the dogs during the attack.
“It was the most horrible thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” Varco said.
“It was just disgusting,” James said.
The dogs dragging Zeke’s body away and playing with it were caught on a neighbor’s surveillance video.
Surveillance video from a nearby home captures two dogs playing with Bob James and Jeff Varco’s dead cat after allegedly attacking and killing it.
Varco and James said that this is not the first time they have had problems with these two dogs in particular and that the latter often roam the neighborhood and know where to find stray and domestic cats to attack, even in their yard.
“Think about how many other cats they’ve killed that haven’t been documented. Who knows? I can’t believe nothing has been done about this to this point. Why did another cat have to be killed?” Varco said.
According to the Eugene Police Department, there have been two other cases in which one or both dogs, owned by neighbor Janet Ayers, have attacked or killed cats in the past. The incidents were reported in 2018 and 2019.
James Varco can be seen in a video chasing dogs with the cat in one of his mouths. A passing car stopped to honk at the dogs, in the video.
According to the EPD, Previously, Ayers had declared both of his dogs dangerous for killing a cat in 2019, because an investigation failed to determine which dog was involved. Both dogs were therefore declared dangerous.
An EPD spokesperson said the “dangerous dog” classification comes with restrictions, including requiring dogs to be muzzled and leashed at all times outside the home, “Beware of Dogs” signs posted around the property where they live, and collars that tell people the dogs are dangerous.
However, a dog’s “danger classification” is revoked after one year if no incidents are reported. The dogs then return to being classified as normal dogs without restrictions.
It is unclear whether Ayers’ dogs were classified as dangerous at the time of the July 4, 2024, attack.
Varco and James say these restrictions are not enough. After the incident, EPD said Ayers was cited and must comply with the restrictions.
Bob James and Jeff Varco’s cat, Zeke, was killed after he was reportedly attacked by a neighbor’s two dogs while napping in the backyard.
KEZI 9 reached out to Ayers for an on-camera interview, which she declined. However, she pleaded “nolo contendere,” a legal term where a defendant accepts guilt without admitting it.
He also blamed another neighbor, whose name could not be identified, for opening the gate on July 4, releasing his dogs.
Varco and James said that regardless of who released the dogs, given their history, they are too dangerous and that more should be done.
“Our cat is dead and it’s not fair. Especially if this is the third cat. They need to be put down,” Varco said.
The two men now carry pepper spray around their waists at all times in case the dogs return, and said they can no longer enjoy their yard after living in their Eugene home for 40 years. They say they now leave their only remaining cat and one dog they own behind.
In a message to other dog owners, James said: “Please control your dogs. Keep them on a leash.”
Aaron Arellano joined KEZI 9 News as a reporter in September 2023. If you have a story idea for Aaron, you can email him at aaronarellano@kezi.com.
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