"Who Let the Dogs Out?" Who Who Who Who....

Three weeks ago, my older sister Jen was reading meters in the small town she lives in when she was viciously attacked by a 4year old boxer. Jen was approaching the backyard of a residence when she stepped just inside the opening in the fence and the dog took off and ripped into her lower right thigh, making two large, deep wounds to the area. Wounds which required transport via ambulance due to the extent of the wound and a total of 12 stiches. There were two tears, one approx 2 inches wide and 1 inch deep. The second approx 1.25 inches wide and 1 inch deep. The dog was leashed, but had access to the entire perimeter of the yard and beyond the fence. That's a long leash!!! Now, while on the ride to the hospital, the volunteer ambulance service in her town was requested back at the house to tend to the police officer who had arrived to secure the dog and take a report. He was bitten in the hand! The owners were home and apparently have no control of the dog's behavior or aggressiveness. The dog was not up to date on shots. Initially, the owner said the dog was current, then said it was 4 years behind (so never, ever had had shots) and then about 6 months behind. Come to find out the dog has bit 4 times over 2 years and attacked 7 times in two years. I have always been leery of the "vicious dog" law, because I always have believed it should only be used in extreme cases. Like this,where the dog has no structure of discipline and is aggressive inside and outside of the home. I feel bad that someone could lose a family pet, but I would never keep a family pet if it had bit/attacked to that extent. It just isn't worth it for someone to get killed over it.....and that can happen.

So I guess my question is, what would you do? My sister has started a petition to deem the dog vicious and have it euthanized. Even at 37 years old, she is now very wary of large dogs, even the nice ones. It's something that will probably stick with her forever. Thoughts, comments, suggestions.............and as always, if I failed to explain something well, just ask! :o)