The village just can't seem to get away from sad dog stories. This past Saturday a bizarre story began to unfold in the Highland Avenue area when the police was called about a vicious dog biting a three year old child. The WPD called the Village Animal Control Officer for assistance. When she arrived the dog came at her snarling and growling. She told the neighbors to stay on the porch, got back into her vehicle and waited for the police to arrive. Apparently the dog was still acting very aggressive and after obtaining permission from their superiors the police had no choice other than putting the dog down. This was lawfully done for safety reasons to protect others from any more attacks by this dog.
According to Jo Bob's newspaper accounts the dog was a mixed breed. I wonder if it was part of the Pit bull breed. It was also reported the dog was chained in an enclosure before breaking loose which is required for pit bull breeds. The dog was dragging a length of chain when all this occurred. The owner advised that the dog had all required vaccinations.
After the dog was shot it was transported to the Village Dog Pound. The Mayor said he would arrange for it's disposal. In the meantime the Mayor got called to a family medical emergency. Upon arriving for work Monday morning a village employee found the dog still on the steps to the pound. It was decided to bury the dog in the wooded area up at the cemetery.
The little girl that was attacked didn't require emergency medical care but was taken to her family doctor Monday. The doctor, as required, advised the County Health Board of the dog bite and it was decided that they needed the dog for testing since the owner had no record of the vaccinations. After digging the dog up it was determined too much time had elapsed to conduct testing for rabies. WOHI was reporting yesterday that the little girl was undergoing the series of rabies shots.
If I were to point my finger at anyone to blame for this bizarre story it would have to be the dog's owner. Her confinement arrangements were evidently not strong enough to keep the dog in a secure area. You can't blame ACO Leslie Dean. She bravely tried to do her job even though she is ill equipped. She uses her own vehicle, has a broken restraining device and no cage strong enough to hold an animal that big even if she was able to capture the dog. The village has to cough up the money to give her the tools to do her job. You can't fault the police officers. Although unfortunate they did what they had to do. You can't blame the child. She's only three and was just walking by when attacked. Children that age are not really aware of the need to stay away from strange dogs. Dogs are very territorial and protective of their turf.
Fortunately the child was not seriously injured. Maybe it's time to review the enforcement of the dog laws and step them up a notch. Prevention is the best policy. This story could have been tragic.
Commenters got this story started on the piece about Brassy getting on television. Thanks to the readers that got it started. You folks make my efforts worthwhile. I would have been on it sooner if it wasn't for a clogged sewer...really.
ole nib
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18 comments:
I don't believe the dog was a pit but a combination of other breeds.
Pit bull owners have to do more than chain up their dogs in a fence. They must be in a LOCKED enclosure with a TOP and they must be insured (forget the amount right now).
Not that I agree with breed-specific laws but right now that IS the law.
Anyone's dog can get loose. Mine have, too, and they're in a locked fence at all times.
But when a dog is that vicious toward people off its own territory (property), there is something else going on. I have to wonder whether it ever showed aggression to its own people?
Thankfully, it wasn't worse, cause it could have been.
OK, I stand corrected. I'm the anonymous writer who called the animal control officer "unprofessional" for taking her children with her on a call with a vicious dog involved. Although it's probably not the most ideal situation, if she's forced to use her own vehicle and has to respond at a moment's notice, this is probably unavoidable at times. Ms. Dean, I apologize. My anger should have been directed where it belongs - at a society that considers animals disposable. Whether it comes out of Wellsville or the county, what's needed is more funding for humane societies and similar organizations. Perhaps if the ACO and the folks with the St. Francis organization could work together, a better situation for the towns animals would result.
Do I understand correctly that the new ACO took the job and was given no supplies? Not even a dog bowl? How very sad. Has anyone put out an appeal to the citizens? Everyone has old blankets, towels, bowls, newspaper,and things that could be put to use at the pound and would help to make the animals more comfortable. Some of them, I suspect, have come from dreadful situations - and the smallest kindness can mean such a difference.
Nib,I no longer reside in Wellsville. Is there an address that I could send some things to ? I want to do what I can to help.
When Mrs. Dean first took the job she was working with the SFAWC folks but it soon was discovered that the tenets the ACO had to operate with differed with those of the St. Francis group. Both do an excellent job. When they went thier separate ways there wasn't much left that was village owned other than the building. Since then the pound has had some very generous donations and Mrs. Dean thankfully acknowledges each of them. She submits a monthly report at Council meetings.
Anybody wishing to make a donation of any kind for use for the pound can send them to Mrs. Leslie Dean, Animal Control Officer, C/O Wellsville Village Hall, 1200 Main St., Wellsville,OH 43968. Your help will be gratefully appreciated.
nib
I saw on the sports page of the Review that they are offering concealed carry classes. Maybe the ACO should sign up.
A deep freezer is needed and was suggested some time ago. This would allow for preserving remains for a later disposal or for possible necessary testing. After an attack and the termination of the animal the caucus being left on the pound steps for hours is a problem on several levels. Access to a deep freezer may have changed the outcome here for the child. The Journals reference to equipment and training seems right. A new catch pole and tranquilizer gun (which should require training for certification). Training which the administration should finance. The needs exceed blankets and bowls. These are not new issues, they just came to a head.
Good point, dog gone. Maybe the ACO should also get special equipment to deal with all the stray cats by Sterling China. They are taking over the neighborhood. Maybe she could get a license or certification to put them to sleep- permanently!
Mrs. Dean told Surace a long time ago that the pole to catch dogs with was broken. If he would have told someone she would have gotten a new one. This time someone got hurt.
Edited from Anonymous
Cats / dogs are a problem. Cats need shots too to prevent the spread of rabies. Who is responsible for shots, the owners? Extra info on rabies.
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/rabies.html
The paper stated that one of the council people had the nerve to say that she should have known about the ordinance and enforced it? Really? How about all the ordinances that go unenforced in this village? Why don't you start enforcing them so we don't have to live in a ghetto. Why don't you make people clean up their rat-trap houses and properties? No one moves here because it is well known that you can live like a hog and never get so much as a warning or a fine. In other words, people who live in glass houses......
Yes, cats need to vaccinated against rabies too. I agree with that. However, in the State of Ohio, I believe cats are classified wild animals. Therefore they are considered to be "unregulatiable". (I just made up a word.) I'm not an animal legal expert but how can you make any law enforceable pertaining to wild animals other than against harboring them?
Hopefully folks that domesticate cats have them taken care of with shots. By the way, the Alley Cat Brigade that the TNR program for feral cats also have the ones captured tested and vaccinated before they are released.
nib
There is no state law for rabies vaccination in Ohio, but each county health department sets local rules. Some counties require that both cats and dogs be immunized, while others mandate only for dogs. Although cases of rabies are few and far between, the disease is serious enough that immunization is highly recommended.
What the: Could you be more specific when you mention ordinances that go unenforced or how they are going unenforced?
If nothing else this administration and council are very much aware of how our village appears. You can legislate until the cows come home. Some things you just can't legislate. Then there are some things that don't appeal to us but if property owners don't care what can you do? Many properties are either rentals or foreclosures in the village. Just recently Council was discussing banks that let properties go and are looking at what they can do.
nib
I believe there is a nusiance ordinance that could be enforced. On some streets and in the alleys you will find properties with no paint on them, broken windows, porches falling off, junk cars and tires, grass and weeds out of control and garbage and litter. Some are abandoned and some are not.
Not sure what the nuisance law covers. Thought it pertained to mostly noise and stuff like that. I'll have to check that out.
There are several dilapidated structures on a list that the village is trying to get funds to move ahead and do something with them. They are still waiting to hear from Lisbon on what is going to be awarded for this. It's been in the works for months if not years. The wheels are turning slowly but once the money is released the village is ready to proceed to the next step with title searches and going to court to get the ok to have some of the properties on the list torn down.
Simply put the village just doesn't have the money it takes without some outside financial help. There were some big plans on the boards but so far we haven't gotten one red cent of stimulus money. Maybe we should change our name to New Columbus, Cleveland or Cincy!
nib
When people are living in these houses it is not a matter of the village having money. It is a matter of enforcing existing codes and ordinances or creating ordinances to get people to clean up their act.
DOG OWNERS should be made responsible for the actions of there dogs....Same way parents are responsible for their children....If they can not control the animal then it needs to be dealt with....somebody said THIS is not the first time it happened ...but thank GOD it is the last..if that happened to my child.... especially my 3 year old ...that now has to go through Rabie shots..well lets say i would not be nice at all...Everybody is so worried about the dog.....WHAT ABOUT THAT INNOCENT 3 YEAR OLD....
CAT OWNERS should be responsible too. I get sick and tired of cats spraying around my house, getting in the garbage, crawling all over my cars, etc. Why do cats get a free pass?
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