SOUTHWICK – The Select Board approved a signed disposition agreement on the future of the two dogs that bit a Jack Russell Terrier, resulting in the dog’s death.
According to Select Board Chairman Joe Deedy, he worked with Town Counsel Ben Coyle on drafting the disposition, which allows Southwick Animal Control Officer Tracy Root to follow specific guidelines if the two Malinois Shepherds return to Southwick.
During a public hearing on November 27, it was announced that the two dogs had left town. At that meeting it was suggested that the Select Board vote to have town counsel draft up the disposition.
The Select Board discusses the disposition before signing it. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
Previously, on November 13, an initial hearing was held on the incident. A complaint was made by Alyssa McGuire, who resides on Klaus Anderson Rd., alleging a complaint of vicious dogs, nuisance, barking, annoyance, and attack on other dogs. Giving her testimony to the Select Board, McGuire claimed that on October 8 at around 4:30 p.m., she was walking her 8-year-old Jack Russell Terrier, Clyde, on a leash in the cornfields near her home. McGuire then saw two dogs from a distance that began to approach her and Clyde. She went on to say that when the dogs came at her and Clyde, she picked her dog up, but Clyde went to the ground and the two dogs were biting Clyde.
McGuire then informed the Select Board that she saw her neighbor, Kaitlin Massai, the owner of the two dogs, run over to help with the situation. After Massai helped McGuire calm the situation, McGuire was able to get Clyde back into the home, but the two dogs were still trying to go after Clyde. McGuire also noted that she did seek medical attention and received a hand x-ray, but required no stitches.
Southwick Police officer Roger Arduini then read a report from Det. Sgt. Tom Krutka, who was the first officer to arrive on the scene. Krutka said it appeared Clyde had blood spots and was bitten, but didn’t appear to be stressed. Although, the dog would need to seek immediate treatment.
Clyde was transported to an animal hospital and he passed away the following day that.
Massai then gave her testimony and said she left her two dogs outside in the yard and then heard screaming. When running towards the incident, Massai claimed that McGuire didn’t have a leash on Clyde. Massai did say her dogs did bite Clyde, but certainly not McGuire. Massai said she did suffer some nerve damage on her hand as she tried to lay on Clyde to help stop the incident and Clyde bit her.
Shortly after the incident, Massai told the Select Board she checked on McGuire and Clyde, and saw Clyde did have cuts on him but wasn’t crying or in distress. The next day, Massai said she checked on the McGuire’s again.
Massai said that she walked into a very confrontational environment and Cannon threatened to shoot the dogs.
