Secaucus Motel Dog Attack Victims Await Court Ruling on Fate of Canines

The three Cane Corso dogs that mauled a couple in February remain in shelter custody as owner appeals euthanasia order.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 3:13pm

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A couple from New York state was viciously attacked by three Cane Corso dogs belonging to Hoboken resident Robert Braxton while walking in the parking lot of the Secaucus Red Roof Inn in February. The dogs, a mother, father, and son, severely injured the man and woman, leaving the man with permanent facial and arm scars. Braxton has been charged with aggravated assault and endangerment, but the dogs' fate remains uncertain as he has appealed a court order to have them euthanized.

Why it matters

The Secaucus attack has raised concerns about public safety and the regulation of dangerous dog breeds, especially in densely populated urban areas. It also highlights the legal complexities around determining when a dog should be euthanized versus given a chance at rehabilitation, and the rights of dog owners versus the broader community.

The details

On the evening of February 16, the couple from New York was walking with their two children in the Red Roof Inn parking lot when Braxton's three Cane Corso dogs ran out of his motel room and attacked without provocation. The dogs dragged the woman to the ground first, then turned on the husband as he tried to help, mauling him for nearly two minutes before others were able to intervene. The woman suffered a large gash to her calf, while the man sustained severe facial and arm injuries that will leave him permanently scarred. Two days later, three more of Braxton's Cane Corsos attacked dog walkers near a Hoboken grocery store, further raising concerns about the dogs' threat to public safety.

  • On February 16, the attack occurred in the Red Roof Inn parking lot around 8:30 p.m.
  • On March 23, a Secaucus municipal court judge ruled the three dogs could be euthanized.
  • On April 17, the dogs remained in the Secaucus Animal Shelter as Braxton appealed the euthanasia order.

The players

Robert Braxton

A Hoboken resident who owned six Cane Corso dogs, three of which were involved in the Red Roof Inn attack and another three that attacked dog walkers days later in Hoboken.

Karen Boylan

A Secaucus municipal court judge who previously ruled the three attack dogs could be euthanized.

Dennis Miller

The Secaucus police chief who believes Braxton was breeding the Cane Corsos to sell.

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What they’re saying

“He will be permanently disfigured. It is something he will have to live with for the rest of his life. This man will forever look in the mirror and see the scars of your three dogs.”

— Karen Boylan, Secaucus Municipal Court Judge

What’s next

Braxton's appeal of the euthanasia order is currently working its way through the court system, determining the ultimate fate of the three Cane Corso dogs involved in the Red Roof Inn attack.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex legal and public safety issues surrounding dangerous dog breeds, particularly in urban areas where attacks can have severe consequences. It raises questions about dog owner responsibility, breed regulations, and the difficult decisions judges must make in balancing the rights of dog owners with the broader community's need for protection.