SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Select Board is expected to make a decision Feb. 4 regarding a potentially dangerous dog on Berkshire Avenue.
Board members heard the details from the involved parties and Animal Control Officer Liz Bennett Jan. 28 during a public hearing on the matter. Bennett initially recommended installing a five-foot chain link fence and keeping the dog on-leash at all times. Edward and Susan Moszynski’s border collie mix named Izzy was attacked in November by Lido, a pitbull owned by their next-door neighbor Karl Saunders and Teresa Darosa.
Bennett read from her official report before the residents spoke. Bennett reported that the incident took place Nov. 23 and was reported to her Nov. 25. In her report, Bennett said Darosa said she and Saunders were performing work on their Berkshire Avenue home and had their two dogs – the pitbull and a boxer, tied in the front yard just feet away from where they were removing the front door when Lido broke free.
Bennett said Edward Moszynski had just begun to walk Izzy when Lido attacked and bit the dog. Bennett said a neighbor came to assist and told the Moszynskis that the pitbull had been involved in another incident and had killed another dog. Bennett said she later asked the woman if she knew that for a fact and the neighbor said it was “a rumor.”
After the dogs were separated, the collie was taken to a veterinarian for emergency care, which Darosa paid for.
When speaking of the incident, Moszynski said he was the sole witness to the attack and described Lido as being focused on his attack of Izzy.
“He was laser focused on mauling her,” he stated Tuesday during the hearing.
Moszynski said he had removed Izzy’s leash when the attack began so she had a “fighting chance” to escape. When Moszynski realized Lido was not letting go of Izzy, he used the leash to hit Lido on the head to try to get him to release the dog. When that didn’t work, Moszynski kicked the dog, but it held on.
Saunders heard the commotion and ran to help, Moszynski said, grabbing Lido. Moszynski said he and his wife – who normally walks their dog – tried to avoid Lido even before the attack. Moszynski said when they return from a walk, he goes outside to try to act as a buffer so Susan Moszynski can get Izzy inside while Lido “strains to try to get at her.”
Moszynski said he was not confident that Bennett’s recommendation of a chain link fence would contain the dog.
“I’m a dog lover,” he said, “but a fence?”
Moszynski said he was concerned Lido could dig under the fence or jump over it and in addition to the concern for their dog, the Moszynskis were also concerned for their grandchildren.
“This dog has no history of attacking humans, but what if (my grandchildren) smell like our dog?” he said. “That dog scares us.”
Moszynski said Izzy is “deathly afraid” of Lido and because he does not own a sidearm, he carries a knife with him when walking his dog, just in case. Moszynski did say he feels badly about the situation.
“We feel sorry to put our neighbors through this,” he said. “That’s their pet. That’s their baby. But, we are afraid of that dog.”
Susan Moszynski said if Saunders had not been there, she believes her dog would be dead. She is still worried for Izzy, but more importantly, for her grandchildren.
“I am very concerned for the safety of my grandchildren,” she said. “We’re requesting that the dog be removed. I’m sorry.”
Darosa said Lido did bite another dog, but has never killed anything. The dog Lido bit did die, but she said it was unrelated and she was told by the vet that the dog choked on something.
“I understand why Ed and Susan are upset,” Darosa said. “My grandchildren are one and five and they sleepover. He is not threatening to children.”
Darosa said on the day of the incident, Lido did not break his leash, but the hook he was chained to was bent and he pulled it from the ground. She said both of her dogs usually wear training collars, but they were charging at that time.
“I’m more than happy to put in a fence, but I’m not willing to give up my dog,” she said.
Saunders added that it was a rare instance that he was not by the dogs’ side when they were chained and that he only left them to help Darosa remove the door.
“I never leave them,” he said.
After hearing from both sets of neighbors, Bennett suggested that Darosa install a chain link fence in the back yard over an existing concrete pad so that the dog could not dig under it. She also recommended a cover be installed over the fence that would keep the concrete cool when it’s sunny as well as prevent Lido from escaping over the fence.
Selectman Douglas Moglin said hearing dog cases was “the worst part of being a selectman.”
Moglin said he has participated in several hearings and in every case, he believes that if it gets to the point of a hearing, the dog owner has failed the town and the dog. He also said that every resident was entitled to peaceful living at their home and they should not need to worry about carrying a weapon for protection while walking a pet.
Select Board Chair Russ Fox added that if the first bite incident had been reported, this would be the second hearing for the same dog, and he would likely be removed.
“We’re not careless dog owners,” Darosa said.
The Board expects to render its decision at its Feb. 4 meeting.
