Controversial petition to euthanize “Dino” the guard dog

MASSACHUSETTS -- There’s controversy surrounding a petition to euthanize a guard dog that has bitten more than a dozen people.

“Dino” can be found in a dog pen surrounded by signs warning people not to trespass behind the Villa restaurant on Main Street in Ware .

 

 

 

“This dog is doing its job all its doing is protecting its owner and its family and its property from people breaking into it.”

The restaurants owner and 2nd floor resident Stephen Kolenovic got Dino to protect his property, and says that’s exactly what the dog is doing.

  

There have been 12 or 13 people that have been bitten by Dino, but in each case they were inside his fence, and none were ever charged or fined for trespassing.

Most recently a man was bitten by Dino, who claimed he was just trying to get through the property. 

But after reviewing his surveillance cameras Steve Kolenovic believes the man was trying to steal some tools.

 

“I would love to see this guy charged, said Kolenovic about the man who he said was bitten while on his property. “And I understand Chief Healey has concerns but I think that his concerns are a little misguided because we have bigger concerns in this town than a dog protecting his own property,” Kolenovic said.

Ware Animal Control Officer Sarah Pridaux  told 22News Dino’s Sarplininac breed (aka Illyrian Sheepdog) is a livestock guardian dog.

“This particular breed I don’t want to say they’re meant to bite people but they’re meant to defend,” Pridaux said.

Kolenovic changes the dogs line every six months to help ensure that it doesn’t break it, and takes it for a walk every day.

A hearing on the petition to have Dino euthanized will be Tuesday at the selectman’s meeting.

(WWLP - Dec 1, 2014)