Dog Payment Made 2 Days After Deadline

The Jefferson couple who missed their first deadline on Tuesday to pay the township for housing their dogs paid the money on Thursday.

Susan and Gary Kolb, who agreed to cover the costs to the township for housing their two African Boerbels ever since they were taken from them last year for violating a court order, submitted the $5,000 two days late.

Linda Ackerson, Health Department registrar of vital statistics, said the Kolbs dropped off the money shortly before noon.

The Kolbs had agreed last month to make two payments on Nov. 27 and Jan. 27 to cover the costs for holding the dogs at a facility in Andover.

Under the agreement with Prosecutor James LaSala, the case—that could put the dogs at risk for euthanization if the court ruled to forfeit them—was put on hold if the Kolbs paid the costs the municipality has spent on housing the two dogs.

LaSala said previously there is a chance he'd accept the money by the end of the week.

When reached for comment on Friday, LaSala said he would not make a decision until he consults with the town, most likely either on Monday or Tuesday.

The Kolbs are accused of violating a court order for walking their "potentially dangerous" dogs without muzzles in October 2011. 

The dogs allegedly attacked three people near the Kolbs' previous home in Jersey City in 2008 and 2009. They dogs are accused of knocking over a woman who was holding a baby, and biting two people.

The Kolbs had signed an agreement to sell the dogs to a buyer in Los Angeles but then refused to give up the animals and were held in contempt of court in 2010.

Once they moved to Jefferson, they were required by the state to follow several rules, including only walking the dogs with a muzzle.

The Kolbs are facing contempt of court charges for walking the dogs without muzzles and for failing to move the dogs from Jersey City to California. If convicted, they face up to 18 months in prison.