HARWICH – Two North Harwich dogs have been deemed dangerous by the select board based on significant and unprovoked injuries they caused in an incident involving a neighbor’s dog last month.
The two-year-old German shepherd-type mixed-breed dogs, “Chipper” and “Pookie,” belong to Florence Edwards, a resident of 226 Main St.
“It is my professional opinion that Florence Edwards lacks responsibility in dog ownership, given the history of incidents to date involving Chipper and Pookie, and despite the many verbal warnings and citations issued to her,” Harwich Animal Control Officer Jennifer Harrington told the select board last week. “It is my recommendation to Ms. Edwards that she seek a professional dog trainer to work with both her and the dogs, together and also separately, to avoid any further incidents.”
In the hearing, neighbor Kailey Pellegreno said the two German shepherds are often jumping on the fence and barking at her dog when it is in the yard. On Sept. 5, the dogs attacked her dog, Nova.
“They came out of nowhere, jumped and started ripping her apart,” Pellegrino said. Nova had five puncture wounds, required emergency surgery and ended up recovering, but is “emotionally strained and so are we — very afraid. These dogs are not quiet, they don’t go inside. Another 10 seconds and she would have been dead.”
Raymond Edwards, Florence Edwards’ son, said he has fortified the fence that contains his mother’s dogs and there have been no escapes since the Sept. 5 incident. He said the dogs dug under a chainlink fence to get to Nova.
“I didn’t properly secure the fence,” Raymond Edwards said.
Edwards said his brother observed the situation and saw the neighbor’s dog bite Chipper, and so Chipper bit back. He said his brother ran after the dogs.
Pellegrino said her dog, a cockapoo, weighs only 13 pounds, and the German shepherds weigh in the 86-pound range. Her dog is not aggressive, she added.
Select Board member Jeffrey Handler asked if there was an offer of reimbursement for the veterinary bills. Both Pellegrino and her mother, Kristina Pellegreno, said they paid the $1,600 bill. There was no offer of reimbursement and no apology.
“My dog had to pay the price for poor ownership,” Pellegreno said.
“I’d be happy to write a check, if I can see the bills, I will pay the bill without admitting any guilt,” responded Florence Edwards.
Edwards said she has purchased a video for dog training, but it has not arrived yet. She also scheduled a day in Boston with the “Dog Daddy” for training with the dogs, but that session was canceled, although they are planning on setting a new date for training.
Thomas Caliri, who lives nearby on Queen Anne Road, also related two incidents in his yard with Chipper and Pookie on June 8 and 17.
Caliri said his poodle was attacked while in his yard and nipped by Chipper and Pookie. In one instance one of the German shepherds bit Caliri’s arm, but did not puncture the skin. Caliri said the dogs were aggressive and he was afraid of them. Rafaella is a service dog for his wife, Caliri said.
“My wife will not take our dog into the backyard alone” because of the attacks, Caliri said.
“I’m definitely voting to deem the dogs dangerous,” said Select Board member Michael MacAskill. “Your neighbors should not live in fear in their own yard.”
Select Board member Peter Piekarski’s motion declaring Chipper and Pookie dangerous included a number of recommendations provided by Harrington, including constructing a proper kennel shelter for the dogs, that a dog run be installed to provide exercise, and that the dogs be muzzled when off the property.
Select Board member Jeffrey Handler also requested a homeowner’s insurance policy be put in place should the dogs remain at the property. The board provided a 45-day period for Edwards to comply with the conditions.
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