HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-01 Animal Control Appeals Committee Minutes •
Animal Control Appeals Committee
March 1, 2012
The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Berger Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading,
Massachusetts. Present were Animal Control Appeals Committee Chairman John Miles and
member Susan Giacalone, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, dog owner Lisa Swanson from
433 Pearl Street, Amanda Swanson from 433 Pearl Street, Animal Control Officer Ron Burns,
Police Lieutenant Richard Robbins, Michelle Benson from 28 Eastway in Reading.
The Town Manager explained that Ms. Swanson had emailed him (a copy of the email is
included in the material packet) and her Attorney had contacted the Town Manager on March 1,
2012 requesting a continuance until either March 8 or March 15.
The Animal Control Appeals Committee discussed with Animal Control Officer Ron Burns the
current status of the animal. The quarantined period has expired. Since this is a vicious dog
complaint, the Animal Control Appeals Committee was concerned about how the dog was being
contained onsite now.
Following discussion, a motion by Giacalone seconded by Miles that the Animal Control
Appeals Committee continue the hearing scheduled for March 1, 2012 regarding a vicious
dog complaint brought by the Animal Control Officer under Section 5.6.6 of the Reading
General Bylaws about a dog named Attacus owned by Lisa Swanson of 433 Pearl Street.
The continued hearing date will be Thursday, March 15, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in the
Conference Room at Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. A notice of the
continued public hearing will be published in the local newspaper and mailed to abutters at
the expense of the dog owner who has requested the continuance. Between this hearing
date and the date of the completion of this hearing the following shall be in place:
1. If the dog is in the fenced backyard of 433 Pearl Street, the animal will be
monitored by an adult.
2. Any other time that the dog is out of the house it will be on a leash at all
times and will be muzzled.
The motion was approved by a vote of 2-0-0.
The dog owner asked if the dog could come to daycare two times per week. She was asked if the
daycare owners were aware of this incident and she indicated they were. The Animal Control
Appeals Committee had no objection to the animal being taken to daycare as long as the leash
and muzzle requirements were met at all times when the animal was not in the fenced back yard
of 433 Pearl Street or in the interior of the daycare facility itself.
On motion by Giacalone seconded by Miles, the Animal Control Appeals Committee voted
to adjourn at 7:50 p.m. by a vote of 2-0-0.
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