The Select Board voted to adopt animal control and additional board recommendations for two dogs deemed “dangerous” during its meeting Tuesday, June 27.

The two dogs, Danny, a 10-year-old Bulldog, and Clancy, a 1-year-old Dogue de Bordeaux, are owned by Judy Herron of 86 Wareham Lakeshore Drive. Herron has 30 days to meet all of the recommendations. 

Animal Control Officer Devin Cloutier said she responded to two incidents involving the dogs from the Herron household. 

The first report came on October 22, 2022 when Danny escaped the property by pushing open the storm doors and attacked another dog. Cloutier said Herron acknowledged Danny’s aggression and was working to find solutions to the problem.

The second incident involved both dogs on May 16. Danny and Clancy pushed open the doors and attacked a neighbor’s dog on the street causing “serious injury,” Cloutier said.

She added, “I do not find these dogs to be aggressive or threatening to people, but they are a threat to other domestic animals.”

Emily Nash, the owner of the injured dog, said Clancy attacked her 23-pound Chihuahua mix first and Danny quickly followed suit. 

Nash said her dog had to receive “life-saving surgery” that cost her approximately $6,000.

Select Board member Alan Slavin said, “It's just kind of a shame that people can't restrain their animals properly. When there are issues I blame the owners as well as the dogs.”

He added it’s not always the dogs’ fault.

“We have to be responsible,” he said. “This is at a point now we have to make sure that it doesn't happen again.”

Cloutier said her recommendations, which are under Massachusetts general law, are for both dogs.

Her recommendations include: The dogs should be humanely restrained. The dogs should be confined to the owners’ property, which needs to be securely closed on all four sides inside or outside, and any outdoor shelter should protect the dogs from the elements. 

Additionally, when not on the property, the dogs must be humanely restrained with a three-foot or less tether with a minimum strength of 300 pounds. 

Herron said she already fulfilled Cloutier’s requests.

Select Board Chair Judith Whiteside added to Cloutier’s recommendations that when out the dogs must be humanely muzzled.

She said the owners’ must also provide proof of insurance in an amount not less than $100,000 or proof of effort to obtain such a policy. In addition, the owner must provide to the licensing authority, an animal control officer, or other entity information to identify the dog throughout its life, such as photos, medical records, microchipping or tattoos.

The Select Board unanimously voted to decree both dogs dangerous.

The board held a vote to adopt Cloutier’s recommendations for the two dogs as well as the additional suggestions made by Whiteside. The vote passed unanimously.