Wareham Selectmen deem dog dangerous after continued hearing

Aug 1, 2018

Wareham Selectmen deemed a female Australian Shepard named Daisy as a dangerous dog following a continued hearing on Tuesday, July 31. Daisy is accused of attacking and antagonizing other dogs and people on both Great Neck Road and Lydia’s Island Road unprovoked.

A mailing error postponed the original hearing on Tuesday, July 10 as the dog's owner, Sandra Crossman, was not present to defend herself.

Animal Control Officer Cheryl Gorveatt-Dill said she had received many complaints regarding Daisy, including incidents which took place on May 29 and May 22.

In one such incident, Daisy attacked another dog while loose on Lydia's Island Road. The other dog, which was also loose at the time, had to be taken to Marion Animal Hospital for puncture wounds sustained to the neck.

Crossman and her husband Walter both stated Tuesday that they took full responsibility for Daisy's actions. The pair was accompanied by a trainer who has been working with Daisy for the last six weeks.

According to the trainer, Daisy has seen considerable improvement and is less aggressive than before.

Neighbors who came before the Selectmen to testify however were not so convinced. They expressed concern for the safety of neighborhood children as well as their own animals.

Ultimately, Gorveatt-Dill recommended that Selectmen deem Daisy dangerous under Massachusetts state law. The recommendation passed unanimously.

Daisy must now be muzzled at all times when off the Crossman's property. The Crossman's will also be required to replace their current fence and provide Gorveatt-Dill with Daisy's chip information.

"It's been an extremely confusing and hurtful process for us," Crossman said. "I hope and pray this will put an end to what our family has been subjected to."