09-18-2008 CITY OF EDGEWATER
ANIMAL CONTROL BOARD
DANGEROUS DOG HEARING
Case#08080284
September 18, 2008 @ 6:00 PM
City Hall Conference Room 104 North Riverside Drive
AND IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE CONCLUSION, A HEARING FOR
POSSIBLE EUTHANIZATION
MINUTES
ROLL CALL
Members present were: Donna Wagner, Jamie Young, Karen Mason and Dr. Vanis.
Board Member Mary Wenderoth was absent. Also present were: Board Secretary Barb
Kowall, Legal Assistant Robin Matusick, Director Jack Corder, Police Officers Cynthia
Weber and Mark Stone, and Animal Control Officers, Johnnie Dail and Denis Odell.
Witness present for "Bulldog": Nicole Loveless, girlfriend of owner, Samuel Parks. Her
address is 2350 Old Samsula Rd., Port Orange, Florida.
DANGEROUS DOG HEARING
Initially, the Euthanasia hearing was scheduled to be first, followed by the Dangerous
Dog hearing. Karen Mason MOVED to hold the Dangerous Dog hearing first and
the motion was SECONDED by Jamie Young. Dr. Vanis voted NO. After discussion
on the dog's ownership and incarceration of Samuel Parks, Karen Mason again made a
MOTION to hold the Dangerous Dog hearing first, seconded by Jamie Young.
Motion CARRIED 4-0.
All present giving testimony were sworn in:
Police Officer Cynthia Weber's testified that she was the officer at the scene of the dog
bite. Her statement said that Velma Davis, the victim, was walking by the bed the dog
was laying on with 14 year old Sammy Parks Jr. and he just jumped off the bed and bit
her. When yelled at, the dog let go.
Animal Control Officer Johnnie Dail gave his testimony. He stated he met with Mrs.
Davis after Cindy and Denis did the initial report and the dog was already at the Shelter.
He stated the victim had 27 stitches on her elbow from an unprovoked attack by
"Bulldog". He spoke with Theresa Graham, who also lived in the house, (now deceased),
who told him that "Bulldog" had also bitten her before, but no medical report was filed.
"Bulldog", in the past has also bitten Dennis Speh, who lived at the same home, and an
unknown person in New Smyrna Beach.
D.Dog/Euthanasia Hrg."Bulldog" 1
After much discussion, Karen Mason made a MOTION to deem "Bulldog" as a
dangerous dog and that all City and County regulations be complied with, the dog
to be neutered and all fines to the Shelter paid. Jamie Young SECONDED the
MOTION and it CARRIED 4-0.
MOTION made and SECONDED to close the Dangerous Dog Hearing and proceed
to Euthanasia hearing. Motion CARRIED 4-0.
EUTHANASIA HEARING
Chairwoman Donna Wagner opened the hearing at 7:05 p.m. and did roll call.
Donna Wagner asked Animal Control Officer Dail if he had any further input. He
reiterated the most recent and previous bites and said he had spoken to Mrs. Davis and
Sammy in the hospital. Sammy was upset about the dog being taken, but said the dog
was mean and had bit others. Mrs. Davis admitted the same.
Dr. Vanis asked Nicole Loveless if she wanted this dog around her daughter who is only
a toddler. She stated she has been around the dog since she was born. She earlier
testified also that Sammy Jr. was special to "Bulldog". Dr. Vanis asked her what might
happen if the little girl did something to Sammy, how might the dog react to her with his
protectiveness of the boy. She said she could not answer that but would not want that to
happen. Dr. Vanis said that with Sammy being Mr. Parks' son, the little girl would be
around "Bulldog" on occasion and that is something she needs to think about. Nicole
said "You are right. That kind of leaves me speechless." Karen Mason asked her if she
was aware of the other bites and she said she knew of the one that happened in New
Smyrna Beach.
Jamie Young stated she feels this dog is dangerous and should not be in the presence of
children who sometimes play rough and noted it is probably 99% certain there could be
another incident involving "Bulldog". Karen Mason said she has grave concerns,
considering Mr. Parks has not properly supervised the dog in the past and was often not
there and he is living in Texas presently.
Officer Weber reiterated that the bite to Mrs. Davis was totally unprovoked. She merely
walked by the bed and wasn't even looking at the dog or talking to him when he jumped
off and attacked her. She said this is unacceptable.
Donna stated she did not want to keep the dog lingering at the shelter if it is decided to
euthanize and asked about time lines. Ms. Matusick said there were none.
Karen Mason made a MOTION to humanely euthanize "Bulldog" within a 24 hour
time period.Jamie Young SECONDED the motion and it CARRIED 4-0.
Donna Wagner said that "Bulldog" would be humanely euthanized at the Edgewater
Animal Shelter no later than 5 pm on September 19, 2008.
D.Dog/Euthanasia Hrg."Bulldog" 2
Nicole asked to see the dog before this was done and the Board discussed this and agreed
that she could see the dog, but not to come in contact with him.
Business being concluded, the meeting was adjourned.
Minutes submitted by
Barb Kowall, Recording Secretary
D.Dog/Euthanasia Hrg."Bulldog" 3