Two dogs that attacked chicken in Wareham deemed ‘dangerous’

Nov 20, 2018

Selectmen deemed two unlicensed dogs as “dangerous” after several escapes ended with a chicken attacked on Depot Street in early October. 

On Nov. 20, Animal Control Officer Cheryl Gorveatt-Dill identified the two dogs belonging to Michelle and Rone Ferguson of Skillings Road as American Staffordshire terriers, more commonly known as pit bulls.

Gorveatt-Dill told Selectmen that the animals were never registered with the town.  She noted that neighbors reported both were loose on four different occasions to the Wareham Department of Natural Resources in October. She added that each of the four times officers responded to collect the dogs, the animals behaved aggressively.

On Oct. 6, the two dogs reportedly damaged a rabbit hutch while loose. Four days later, the animals escaped again, this time allegedly attacking and wounding a chicken.

“These dog owners have shown they cannot be responsible,” Gorveatt-Dill said. 

The lack of a license for either dog was exceptionally worrying for Selectman Patrick Tropeano, who called the situation “crazy.”

“I’m very concerned that things have been going on like this,” Tropeano said.

Selectman Peter Teitelbaum agreed.

“The number of the incidents is concerning,” he said. “We’d be hard pressed to do anything if this was just one time that a dog bit a chicken, but in this instance we have multiple reports.”

The two dogs must now be kept in a secure outdoor enclosure on the Ferguson’s property and are to be muzzled when taken out. The dogs may only be walked by an adult over 18 years of age on a leash no longer than 3 feet.

Gorveatt-Dill said the owners will have seven business days to register their dogs with the town and provide the department with information by which the two animals can be identified. 

Should they fail, Gorveatt-Dill said the dogs will be taken away.