The Select Board voted on March 22 to indefinitely continue a dangerous dog hearing “until such time as we find out where the dog is,” in the words of board member Peter Teitelbaum. 

The hearing pertained to Flash, a 9-year-old bulldog owned by Adam Bruneau of Naushon Road. The dog severely injured a neighbor in October, and the board voted in November to euthanize the dog. The owner filed an appeal of that decision in district court.

“There was a letter dropped off in the Selectmen’s office yesterday by the dog owner’s brother and mother, apparently, not the dog owner,” Teitelbaum said. The letter said the dog was “out of the jurisdiction,” Teitelbaum said. 

“We need to know where the dog is,” Teitelbaum said.

Bruneau did not attend Tuesday’s meeting, and neither was his attorney.

Garry Buckminster, director of Natural Resources, described the events at the first hearing on the matter on Nov. 30, 2021, which was also not attended by Bruneau.

On Oct. 15, Bruneau’s dog ran through the gate toward Ernie Trox, who was taking his small dog for a walk on Naushon Road where he and Bruneau live. Trox leaned down to protect his dog, and the bulldog knocked him over and latched onto his arm — not releasing Trox until Bruneau ran over and intervened. Bruneau got Flash off Trox and used towels to help staunch the bleeding.

Trox’s injuries were severe. The bite tore through his arm to the bone, causing significant damage to his tendons. Additionally, he fell and hit his head and sustained a brain bleed.

He was taken by ambulance to Tobey Hospital and later to St. Luke’s. Trox underwent one surgery that night to repair the damage to his arm, and a skin graft surgery several weeks later. He may need more surgery in the future, Trox said, and is attending rehab sessions.

Trox said in November that he will never regain the full function of his arm, and he said he is in at least some degree of pain every day. 

Teitelbaum said that the Department of Natural Resources will attempt to locate the dog.