To fend off the dogs, Walker said, he repeatedly struck the animals with a tree branch. Gretchen was injured during the assault. Walker said the 10-year-old Husky mix has been unable to walk normally since.
Gretchen is on medication because of her injuries, but appears to be turning the corner toward a full recovery, Walker said.
“She’s still limping and hobbling a little bit. She’s improving,” he said.
Walker, a Main Avenue West resident, has voiced his irritation regarding little or no response by police on matters related to violent dogs running loose in the city. He has written Mayor Kathy Catazaro-Perry’s office and penned a recently published letter in The Independent about his Dec. 25 encounter and related concerns.
“I certainly feel neither served nor protected by police or the administration,” Walker said. “I don’t see how the city gets away with not responding or enforcing its (dog) ordinances.”
Safety-Service Director Joel Smith said he was “alarmed” by Walker’s letter and wants police to step up.
“I think the police department could do more on these type of calls,” Smith said Thursday. “We have ordinances ... to enforce if police choose to.”
Smith said he and Police Chief Keith Moser have spoken within the last couple of weeks about the issue, and whether police can respond better to emergency calls involving vicious dogs. The city has regulations requiring pet owners to keep all dogs restrained and leashed while walking them in public. There can be penalties for those who allow dogs to run loose or harm other animals, people or property.
Smith noted there is no timetable for a follow-up discussion with Moser about canine calls. In addition, the city has no immediate plans to rehire an animal control officer, he said.
“We’re trying to add police officers and have a tight budget this year,” he said. “We are utilizing the (Stark County) dog warden services.”
POLICE, DOG WARDEN RESPONSE
Police layoffs in the spring of 2012 eliminated the city’s animal control officer position, according to Capt. Bill Peel of the Massillon Police Department. Since that time, police officers typically respond only to active attacks involving canines.
“We take action on aggressive dog attacks, if they’re an ongoing incident,” said Peel.
Walker said responding only to an active dog attack doesn’t make sense and is uncertain when it comes to safety.
“It’s almost impossible to call police on the phone ... if you’re the one involved,” he said.
Police are oftentimes the first responders to violent incidents due to proximity but relinquish command to the Stark County Dog Warden upon arrival.
“They (city police) pretty much hold the line until we get there,” County Dog Warden Jon Barber said. “And if they need to, they’ll dispatch (shoot) the dog to ensure safety.”
Barber stressed that harming an animal is always a last resort and that public safety is always the priority. He said dogs can be tranquilized.
“Hopefully, when we get there the dogs are tired,” said Barber, noting that his office responds to calls regarding dog bites, fights between dogs and dog attacks on people.
Walker said he appreciates the effort by the county warden, but said the city should do more to improve response times, and consider hiring a part-time animal officer.
“A loose dog can be a mile away by the time you call a warden and he gets here,” Walker said.
Most dogs housed temporarily at the county kennel, 1801 Mahoning Road NE in Canton, are strays, dogs found running at large or owner-surrendered dogs, if space is available, Barber said.
All licensed dogs are required to be kept at the kennel for 14 days before an owner can take them home, Barber said. If needed, they receive vaccinations prior to being released to an owner. Dogs deemed vicious are euthanized after 14 days if they go unclaimed.
Injured or neglected dogs are taken to the Stark County Humane Society, Barber said.
Peel said sick or injured dogs found in the city are referred to the city Health Department but might end up going to the humane society.
(IndeOnline - Jan 29, 2016)
No comments:
Post a Comment