The third time definitely wasn’t charm for the owners of a Hannibal pit bull.
David and Christy Taylor appeared before the Hannibal City Council Tuesday night, seeking to have the Dangerous Dog Declaration overturned for their dog, “Moose”.
This was not their first encounter with city officials. Concerns about Moose posing a threat to mail carriers had resulted in the suspension of mail delivery to the College Avenue area where the Taylors reside. A neighborhood meeting on May 7 at the Hannibal Police Department resulted in what Chief Davis termed an “outpouring of information” that indicated Moose had exhibited aggressive behavior on multiple occasions.
Chief Davis signed a Dangerous Dog Declaration May 9, which imposed strict requirements including the purchase of liability insurance and proper restraint of the pit bull. By this time the Taylors had moved the dog to their daughter’s house on New London Gravel Road, but since the residence was still in the city limits, the dog was still subject to the ordinance. The issues with mail delivery followed Moose to his new residence too: mail service was soon suspended to a portion of the New London Gravel Road area.
The Taylors appealed the matter to City Manager Jeff LaGarce, who held a hearing May 23. A few days later, the Taylors were notified the Dangerous Dog Declaration was sustained.
The final appeal was heard by the council on June 18. David Taylor disputed the charges of aggressive behavior by Moose, and said he is just a big playful dog; a valued member of his family.
He said he is to blame for any problems, not Moose. Then he stated that his appearance before the council was only to clear Moose’s name, as he is moving out of town into Ralls County, and taking the dog.
Hannibal Police Chief Lyndell Davis painted a much different picture of Moose. He said investigations by Animal Control Officers, and comments from the Postal Service and the public were more numerous than any other dangerous dog case he had ever seen.
Davis cautioned the council that just because the dog has not yet bitten anyone, the Dangerous Dog ruling applies due to the fact that the dog has repeatedly acted in a menacing fashion and has the potential to cause injury to the general public.
After the testimony wrapped up, Councilman Mike Dobson made a motion to uphold the Dangerous Dog Declaration for Moose, stating the point is moot since the Taylors are moving out of the city. The motion received unanimous approval.
(KHMO Radio - June 19, 2013)
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