MASSACHUSETTS -- For the third time since June of last year, Layla, a boxer-Shar-pei mixed breed of dog, who belongs to Kyle Sullivan of 87 Oak St., got loose and attacked another dog, leading to biting the other dog’s owner.
Sullivan and his mother appeared before Pembroke selectmen on Monday night (Sept. 23) to discuss the punishment for the latest attack.
According to Bill Hart, Pembroke Animal Control Officer, the latest incident occurred on Friday, Sept. 20. Hart said he was called about a dog bite, and when he arrived at Oak Street, he said the dog was still loose, running around the yard.
Hart said the incident involved a neighbor who was walking his dog and when he turned up Oak Street, Layla ran out the door and attacked the neighbor’s dog.
“I went up and took the dog, the man had been bitten and the dog had puncture marks on it,” Hart said.
Hart said the man was bitten while trying to separate the dogs.
“The dog isn’t people-aggressive,” Hart said. “It’s animal-aggressive, it’s very territorial.”
According to Hart, the incident was very similar to the June 2 occurrence earlier this year. In that case, Layla attacked another dog and bit the owner when he tried to separate the two. After that confrontation, selectmen told Hart if the dog were loose again, it would be seized and kept at the shelter until a hearing before selectmen could be held. After the incident on Friday, that is what Hart did.
“I had the standing order that said I should take it, so I have the dog quarantined at the shelter,” Hart said.
Sullivan told selectmen he was willing to accept the consequences for the latest incident, but he wanted to know how he could avoid having the dog put down.
“My dog is very protective and territorial,” he said.
Sullivan also informed selectmen he would be moving to New Hampshire to live with his father, who has a fenced in backyard, and if he were allowed, he would take the dog.
Hart informed selectmen between the fine for being unlicensed, the fine for being loose and the boarding fees, Sullivan owes $325. He also said he wouldn’t return the dog until it received its vaccinations and registration, which would add to the total.
Selectmen agreed to give Sullivan until Monday, Sept. 30 to pay the fines and fees for registration and vaccinations.
Otherwise, the dog would be surrendered to Hart. Hart said even if the fees are paid, he would contact the town in New Hampshire where Sullivan is planning to move to make sure the town approves taking on the dog.
Hart said if the dog was surrendered to him, there wasn’t a set amount of time he would keep the dog before having it put down. He said he would try to find it a home where it could be properly handled.
(Wicked Local - Sept 27, 2013)
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