Marion County sued for putting 6 dogs to death

SALEM, Ore. — Two Salem residents accused of having dangerous or nuisance dogs and then acquitted have sued Marion County for putting the six animals to death.

The Salem Statesman Journal reports that Lonnie Anderson and Jacqui Shimmin seek $402,000 — $2,000 for their defense expenses, the rest for emotional distress.

Their suit says charges came after a dogfight and a jogger reporting she was menaced by a dog.

The suit said Anderson and Shimmin were charged in August 2012 and the dogs euthanized a week later.

The suit alleges the county didn’t conduct a reasonable investigation, and a witness couldn’t identify the dogs.

The suit said some of the counts were later dismissed, and Anderson and Shimmin were acquitted of others earlier this year.

County officials declined to comment.