Russell and Shannon Kriehn of 24 Old Glen Charlie Road have met almost all of the town's requirements for the keeping of their two dogs as of a hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 3. 

Their dogs, a male brindle Dutch Shepherd named Buoy and a female white Dogo Argentino named Bushido, were deemed “dangerous” at a Select Board meeting on Tuesday, June 13.  The designation came after two reports of dog bites, with the neighbors' dogs as victims, within a ten day period, as well as reports of other instances of bites, including with humans as victims. 

The Select Board issued recommendations at that meeting for the safe handling of the dogs. The Kriehns now nearly comply with the recommendations, but the members remain dissatisfied at the length of time taken for that compliance.  

Animal Control Officer Devin Cloutier said she believes the current conditions of the dogs are "satisfactory."

The Kriehns have installed an enclosed pen in their yard to hold the dogs when they are outside and off the leash. At all other times, the dogs will be restrained by a muzzle and a leash, as attested by both Cloutier and Robert Perry, an attorney representing the Kriehns.

However, the Kriehns have not fenced their yard to the Board's requirements, according to Cloutier. One side of their property borders the water, and while their fencing covers all three sides on land, it does not extend into the water. 

Cloutier said she does not have complaints about this fencing because the dogs will not be outside and unrestrained unless they are in the enclosed pen. 

The Select Board also required that both dogs be neutered. Cloutier confirmed that the male dog, Buoy, is neutered, and that the Kriehns have set up an appointment with a veterinarian to examine the female dog, Bushido.  

The veterinarian has so far been "confusing," said Perry. According to the vet, Bushido has an unpredictable heat cycle, which poses a risk to the spaying surgery; for the safety of the animal, spaying has to occur in the middle of her cycle. 

Cloutier said the Kriehns could satisfy the town's requirements either with a certificate of spaying or with a letter from the vet stating Bushido is incapable of the surgery. 

While the Kriehns demonstrated steps toward compliance in their hearing, the Select Board took issue with how long those steps had taken. 

The Select Board's original decision in June came with a 30 day deadline — one that was not met, said Select Board member Ronald Besse. 

Besse said it “frustrates” him that, although all requirements were met, they were met on the Kriehns' schedule, not the Board's schedule. 

He called the length of time elapsed a "slap in the face" to the Select Board, adding that it showed an "utter disregard for safety" and a "lack of respect." 

Select Board member Tricia Wurts said it was important to get Bushido spayed and for the Board to feel "comfortable" the owners were going to stay on top of the issue. 

"I would love you and your dogs to have a happy home. Please get that done," said Wurts. 

The Select Board voted for a continuance for the hearing until the Kriehns completed the final steps toward compliance.