Post by Brooke on Jun 16, 2005 20:12:11 GMT -5
Posted on Fri, Jun. 03, 2005
Dog that bit four ordered euthanized
By Sara Eaton
The Journal Gazette
www.journalgazette.net
The Board of Public Safety ruled Thursday that a 10-year-old Siberian husky that has bitten four people should be euthanized by Fort Wayne's Animal Care & Control.
The dog, named Bandit, most recently broke free from a leash restraining him on a porch on St. Marys Avenue and bit a mail carrier who had been trying to deliver mail at the house, according to police, Animal Care & Control officers and the mail carrier.
Bandit's owner, Timothy Stangland, disputes the accusations and appealed Animal Care & Control Director Belinda Lewis' original declaration that the dog is dangerous. Stangland, who declined to comment Thursday, said he wants to review his options.
Board Chairwoman Sharon Peters announced during Thursday's meeting that Stangland has 30 days to appeal the board's decision. The board ordered Stangland to pay $1,560 to Animal Care & Control for housing Bandit to date. He will also be charged $10 a day for the dog's boarding until the dog is euthanized, Lewis said.
Bandit will be euthanized after the 30 days have passed unless Stangland releases custody of his pet earlier or decides to appeal, Lewis said.
Lewis said she investigated the bite in November after her staff discovered that Bandit had previously bitten three other people. Bandit and his owner were given a warning the first time after a toddler wandered into Stangland's property and was bitten, she said.
Lewis also declared Bandit a dangerous animal a second time and sought his euthanization, but Stangland appealed to the board, who overturned her decision.
During the second situation, another toddler wandered into Stangland's property and the child was bitten as well as his father when trying to rescue him.
On average, Animal Care & Control investigates more than 800 dog bites a year and only three to four result in the dangerous dog declaration, she said. Most people don't dispute the declaration, which means the dogs are euthanized without a fight, she said.
Stangland's attorney also asked the board during the hearing in April to recuse itself from hearing the appeal after discovering that board members were being advised by one city attorney while another city attorney represented Lewis during the same appeal hearing. The board refused to recuse itself, however, which Stangland believes is a conflict of interest.
The board found that Stangland failed to prove his case during the hearing and found that the evidence indicates that Bandit will bite again and that the dog poses a threat to the public's safety.
Dog that bit four ordered euthanized
By Sara Eaton
The Journal Gazette
www.journalgazette.net
The Board of Public Safety ruled Thursday that a 10-year-old Siberian husky that has bitten four people should be euthanized by Fort Wayne's Animal Care & Control.
The dog, named Bandit, most recently broke free from a leash restraining him on a porch on St. Marys Avenue and bit a mail carrier who had been trying to deliver mail at the house, according to police, Animal Care & Control officers and the mail carrier.
Bandit's owner, Timothy Stangland, disputes the accusations and appealed Animal Care & Control Director Belinda Lewis' original declaration that the dog is dangerous. Stangland, who declined to comment Thursday, said he wants to review his options.
Board Chairwoman Sharon Peters announced during Thursday's meeting that Stangland has 30 days to appeal the board's decision. The board ordered Stangland to pay $1,560 to Animal Care & Control for housing Bandit to date. He will also be charged $10 a day for the dog's boarding until the dog is euthanized, Lewis said.
Bandit will be euthanized after the 30 days have passed unless Stangland releases custody of his pet earlier or decides to appeal, Lewis said.
Lewis said she investigated the bite in November after her staff discovered that Bandit had previously bitten three other people. Bandit and his owner were given a warning the first time after a toddler wandered into Stangland's property and was bitten, she said.
Lewis also declared Bandit a dangerous animal a second time and sought his euthanization, but Stangland appealed to the board, who overturned her decision.
During the second situation, another toddler wandered into Stangland's property and the child was bitten as well as his father when trying to rescue him.
On average, Animal Care & Control investigates more than 800 dog bites a year and only three to four result in the dangerous dog declaration, she said. Most people don't dispute the declaration, which means the dogs are euthanized without a fight, she said.
Stangland's attorney also asked the board during the hearing in April to recuse itself from hearing the appeal after discovering that board members were being advised by one city attorney while another city attorney represented Lewis during the same appeal hearing. The board refused to recuse itself, however, which Stangland believes is a conflict of interest.
The board found that Stangland failed to prove his case during the hearing and found that the evidence indicates that Bandit will bite again and that the dog poses a threat to the public's safety.