David Denson, who took responsibility for the dog at 16 Dexter St., initially asked for the dog to be returned home to the family but surrendered the dog Wednesday, rather than opt for a dangerousness hearing, said Pamela Peebles, executive director of the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center.
Peebles said there is not yet a final decision, but she expects the dog, named Batman, will be euthanized, "as he is a risk to public health and safety."
"I will make the decision on his disposition," Peebles said. "The reason will be both aggressive history and behavior seen while housed with us. If nothing changes from this point, I would expect to euthanize the dog on June 13th."
The dog would not have been returned home without a hearing being held first to determine if the dog was “vicious” or “potentially vicious,” Peebles said. She was preparing to ask for a hearing before the Dog Advisory Committee when Denson surrendered the pet, she said.
The dog, described as a “pit bull type,” attacked Suzanne Edwards of 20 Dexter St., and both of the Edwards’ dogs — Kobe, a 13-pound Chihuahua mix, and Rosco, an 8-pound traditional Chihuahua as they were on a walk, officials said. Suzanne Edwards had 10 bites to her left arm and wrist and to the index fingers on both hands as she attempted to protect her pets, Melvin Edwards said.
Kobe was seriously injured and remained at the Boston Road Animal Hospital on Wednesday, but the prognosis is good, Edwards said.
Denson will be cited for failing to restrain a dog, having an unlicensed dog, and having a dog at large without the pet being sterilized, Peebles said. The violations carry fines of $25, $50 and $100, respectively, Peebles said.
Denson was not immediately available for comment.
If Denson opted for a dangerousness hearing, the advisory committee would have heard testimony from all interested parties, Peebles said.
If a dog is deemed vicious or potentially vicious, the owner has to take steps, “including, but not limited to, constructing a secure enclosure for the dog, securing an insurance liability policy of $100,000, muzzling the dog with off his property and licensing the pet as a dangerous do annually at a cost of $200, Peebles said, citing the city’s ordinance on animal control.
Melvin Edwards said he received a lot of phone calls and e-mails, from people offering their sympathies and concerns since the attack.
“We just want to say thank you to everyone,” Edwards said.
The Edwards live at 20 Dexter Street, next door to the Denson house.
(Masslive.com - June 5, 2013)
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