By Lauren McSherry

Los Altos Hills dogs roaming their neighborhoods off-leash are likely to find themselves in trouble with local law enforcement. The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department plans to crack down on off-leash and unruly dogs after pit bulls killed two cats in unrelated attacks that occurred within 12 days of one another.

“We are appealing to residents to be more cautious,” said Steve Garcia, the city’s public safety officer. “The first step is to make people aware. If it continues, the next step is to use the enforcement tactic.”

In total, there have been three similar attacks reported since 2003, Garcia said. Under city code, residents are responsible for controlling their dogs. Owners will be cited and receive a fine if their dogs are found at large either by the Santa Clara Sheriff’s Department or the city, he said.

The most recent case involved the Geiseler-Zatarain family’s pit bull, Capone, who killed a cat on Elena Road. The 4-year-old canine had a history of attacking cats. He killed his owner’s 18-year-old cat and mauled another. Last year he killed a Natoma Road neighbor’s cat.

The latest attack occurred after an unrelated incident when two other pit bulls killed a pet cat on Baker Lane.

Police took Capone into custody, where he waited for a decision on whether he would be put down for his actions. Hearing officer, retired Palo Alto Police Capt. Tom Merson, determined Capone to be a “dangerous animal” under city code. Capone will be relocated to a family member’s home near Reno, Nev.

The city was required to hold a hearing because Capone had a history of killing cats, Garcia said.

Under city code, a “dangerous animal shall mean any dog or other animal which demonstrates a propensity to assault, bite, scratch or harass people or other animals without provocation.”