Dog Hearing Sparks Emotions at Selectmen Meeting

It was an emotional night at Tuesday's Board of Selectmen meeting. A dog hearing took place concerning a Rottweiler, weighing more than 100 pounds, that has bit two children in separate incidents.  

Selectmen had to decide whether the dog would be euthanized or moved to a no-kill shelter, if the owner could find one that would take the dog. 

It was an emotional hearing. Testimony was taken from supporters of the dog, named Morgan, and those who experienced it's bite. Animal Control Officer Sue Thibedeau called the dog "dangerous" and recommended that the dog should be euthanized.

"This animal is dangerous and has bitten twice," spoke Thibedeau. "Based on the [severity of the bites, I feel it is a threat to public safety.]" 

The Rottweiler, owned by Paul Johnson, of 15 Pine Acres Road, bit one child on Foxborough's Halloween night and bit another June 9. Both bites took place off of Johnson's property.  

Johnson argued that Morgan is not dangerous.

"We never felt the dog was issue," noted Johnson.  

Johnson's argument was backed up by several guests who testified that they have been in his home with Morgan and did not feel threatened by the dog. 

Jonathan Rice, 14-years-old, of 32 Pine Acres Road, along with his mother Jane Rice, testified that neighbors have become fearful of the dog and its owner. 

The boy, extremely emotional, retold his story to selectmen of Halloween night where the dog bit him on his head. Johnson had been walking his bog, unleashed, that night. 

Selectmen Chairman Larry Harrington was concerned that the dog was out on Halloween, where there are an overload of children - labeling the decision "poor judgement." 

"Why would you take out the dogs out on Halloween?" spoke Harrington. 

The other bite, which took place on June 9, was told by Jonathan Rice who said the Johnson's other dog, a Yorkshire terrier, was running loose and another boy tried to capture it when the dog bit the boy on his arm. Johnson noted that Morgan is purely protective of his smaller dog, a Yorkshire Terrier. 

Selectmen voted to give Johnson 10 days to find a shelter for Morgan and to pay in advance for all of the costs (transportation and placement).

"[The dog Morgan] is to be removed from the property of 15 Pine Acre Road. The animal is to remain at the shelter and the owner is to find a no-kill facility and if not able to so in 10 days, the animal be put down by euthanasia," read the motion by selectmen. 

Johnson said he will appeal the decision in court.