Public Statement from the Union City Director of Public Safety

I want to address several concerns raised during last night’s City Council meeting about potentially dangerous dogs in our community — and provide some important clarification.

Reports Involving Mr. Hampshire’s Dogs

Yes, our department has received multiple calls about aggressive dogs, including ones owned by Mr. Hampshire. He has been cited and found guilty in court on several counts related to these incidents.

However, there is no confirmed evidence that his dogs have killed any other animals. While some attacks were reported, they did not result in fatalities.

What the Law Allows Us to Do

Under current law, we cannot impound or seize someone’s dog without due process. Doing so would be an unlawful seizure of property. If we know who owns the dog, we must follow legal procedures — we cannot act on suspicion alone.

Mistaken Identity Is a Real Concern

We’ve had cases where people believed both of Mr. Hampshire’s dogs were loose — even after one had already been euthanized voluntarily by Mr. Hampshire. This clearly shows the potential for mistaken identity. There may be multiple dogs in the area showing aggressive behavior, which complicates investigations.

Specific Incident – Sept. 18, 2024

We did respond to a call involving the death of a kitten. The dog responsible was euthanized.

Important Note: Under Indiana law, a dog is only legally deemed “dangerous” if it kills another animal. Injuries alone do not meet that threshold.

Clarifying the Law (Indiana Code 35-46-3-6(f))

There was a misunderstanding at last night’s meeting regarding this law. To be clear:

Only a licensed veterinarian can determine whether a dog poses a serious threat or should be euthanized — not law enforcement or city officials. Only part of the law was read out loud, not the entire law.

Appreciation for Officer Thacker

I want to publicly thank Officer Thacker for his professionalism and dedication. He consistently goes above and beyond, taking the time to thoroughly research and correctly apply the law in every situation. His fair, careful approach is exactly what this community deserves.

As always, if you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.