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11-16-2005 - Snickers CITY OF EDGEWATER ANIMAL CONTROL BOARD DANGEROUS DOG HEARINGS November 16, 2005 7 :00 P.M. CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Donna Wagner called the Dangerous Dog hearings to order at 7:05 PM in the City Hall Conference Room. ROLL CALL Members present were: Donna Wagner, Debrah Brazzell, Dr. Vanis, Elizabeth DiMascio and Karen Mason. Also present were: Board Secretary Shontella Jackson, Legal Assistant Robin Matusick, and Animal Administrator Amy Carotenuto. Witnesses Present: Patricia Jones, Tracy Harris and Alex Harris of 303 Linda St.; Edgewater, FL. Mr. Kevin Morris is the owner of the dog that resides at 304 Linda Street was not present at the hearing. His dog name is "Snickers." HEARING All witnesses as stated above and Amy Carotenuto were sworn in: Do you solemnly swear and affirm that the testimony you are about to give before the Animal Control Board in regards to this case is true and correct to the best of your knowledge? All witnesses raised their right hand and stated "I Do" at the conclusion of the reading the above statement read by Chairperson Donna Wagner. WITNESS 1 Animal Administrator Amy Carotenuto gave a brief statement first. Animal Administrator Amy Carotenuto stated that she was made aware of the incident on Monday, October 31, 2005. The incident had happened the Friday evening prior. Amy Carotenuto stated that she spoke with Ms. Jones on the phone and went out to the location. Amy Carotenuto stated that Ms. Jones informed her that this was the second time "Snickers" had bitten a child. The previous case was a minor occurrence that happened in March with a child and at that time Snickers had been quarantined at Glencoe Veterian Hospital. The prior case information was provided in the packet which Animal Administrator Carotenuto provided to the Board. Amy Carotenuto stated that she went to the Morris household where Snickers is living. A police officer had already issued a quarantine notice and Snickers was being kept confined in a bedroom inside the house. Amy Carotenuto stated that she met Snickers and he did seem a little leery of someone being in his house but he did not seem aggressive. Amy Carotenuto stated that she visited Snickers a couple of times during the quarantine. Amy Carotenuto stated that she gave suggestions to the owners to buy a gentle leader, to get the dog neutered and not to keep him on a chain. Amy Carotenuto replied that she made contact with Ms. Jones and she completed a statement. Amy Carotenuto stated that in her opinion this case and the March case, neither one is serious enough to declare Snickers dangerous but it does show this as an area of concern which I think we need to address in some way by giving the owner some strict rules. Amy Carotenuto testified that the owner has a shed in the backyard which is not acceptable for housing the dog. The dog was on a chain which the dog was not getting any socialization. WITNESS 2 Patricia Jones gave a brief testimony. Ms. Jones testified that she was in the house and her two older kids were outside with a bunch of kids in the street playing football. My daughter came in the house screaming and I could not understand what she was saying. I looked down at her legs and they were bleeding. I ran outside because my son was still out there to make sure he was okay. When I ran out, the dog ran away and there was a bunch of kids sitting on top of my car. I asked, "what happened ?" My son said, Snickerbear came out and the other kids ran but she did not make it on top of the car. Ms. Jones stated that she went back inside and looked at her bites. There was one bite that would not stop bleeding. Then I called 911 and they told me to put a towel on them and leave it on. The ambulance and the police came within five minutes and they took care of her. The Board asked the witness a few questions. Chairperson Wagner asked, if there were any medical bills? Ms. Jones stated that there were no stitches required and I was told that they do not stitch up dog bites. Dr. Vanis asked, if there had been any other episodes since the previous dog bite in March? Do they allow the dog to run free all the time? Ms. Jones stated that they do not allow the dog to run around anymore since the last episode. Several questions were asked by the Board members to the witness. Ms. Jones stated she also has a two year old and an eight year old children and states she does not think they would be able to run away from the dog. WITNESS 3 Alex Harris gave a brief statement. Karen Mason asked, "Alex if the dog ever chased or pinned him before ?" Alex Harris replied, "yes." Chairwoman Wagner asked, "when the dog pinned you did the dog acted as if he was going to bit you ?" Alex Harris replied, that he was not going to bit me, he just chased me." Karen Mason asked, "if it was uncommon for the dog to get loose ?" Alex Harris replied, "no." Dr. Vanis asked, "when Snickers came at you was his teeth pulled back and wild eyed ?" Alex Harris replied, "yes." Chairwoman Wagner closed the public hearing. This was the conclusion of Snicker's hearing. BOARD HEARING After hearing the witness and evaluating the information, the Board reviewed the dangerous dog requirements defined by Florida Statutes 767. Chairwoman Wagner stated that the owners have a problem containing Snickers. Dr. Vanis provided the Board with clarification regarding the photos which showed multiple bites received by Tracy Harris. MOTION b Karen Mason. SE OND b Debrah Brazzell based on the testimony provided, there is sufficient cause for the Animal Control Board to deem "Snickers" a "dangerous dog due to the exhi + " ° • 1 • deemed "dangerous ". MOTION CARRIED 5 -0, Chairwoman Wagner announced the Board decision that the dog has been deemed dangerous and will be notified by the Animal Control Officer of the requirements to comply with a dangerous dog in the City of Edgewater. ADJOURNMENT meeting. MOTION CARRIED 5 -0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:48 pm.