John Murray, the owner of the “vicious” dogs that have been terrorizing the city of Susanville, admits to city leaders he is responsible. Murray added that the latest killing of alpaca is a “shut and close case” and offered the owners in the crowd filling city hall during the city council’s February 15th meeting a tearful apology.
Murray continued by going into a brief history of how he got into dog breeding and his intentions to start a foundation to rescue animals. Concerns the community has raised over the last few years, citing the 20-plus dogs he has kenneled at his homes. The idea was launched when he took in three wolf hybrids when the county abated the accused North County’ puppy mill’ in Ravendale in 2018. However, Murray shared that after that, it all fell apart when his inheritance ran out, trying to “bail out” his children. That’s when a series of unfortunate circumstances led to the extensive history surrounding Murray. One of troubled and questionable individuals residing in the home he rented to provide a living for himself. Murray claims he tried contacting authorities to no avail.
Mayor McCourt concluded by telling Murray to handle it for the benefit of the community, but not before sharing his disappointment, saying he was more “ashamed” of Murray as this is his responsibility and this remains an “awkward and unfortunate situation.”
Many in attendance called on the city and law enforcement to take control of the situation to handle it once and for all.
