Every dog has its day: Marion dog deemed not dangerous at public hearing

MARION — The Marion Select Board let sleeping dogs lie at a “dangerous dog” public hearing — declaring that Enzo, a three-year-old border collie and labrador mix who supposedly bit a walker, is not a threat to the town.

At a Tuesday, Oct. 28 Select Board meeting, a hearing was held to determine whether or not the attacking dog is a nuisance or dangerous to the public — where the board ultimately opted for a probationary period and a warning for the owner.  

The alleged biting incident took place Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 10 a.m. when Gina Shields and her husband Frank Shields were on a walk passing by 116 Dexter Road. 

Gina wrote a letter to Police Chief Richard Nighelli describing the incident. As the couple neared 116 Dexter Road, a thirty pound dog allegedly “quickly and unexpectedly ran at us aggressively barking and growling.”

Gina reported that the dog allegedly attacked and bit Gina between the buttock and upper right leg as she and her husband tried to get the dog off. 

Marion resident Angela Brodeur owns the dog.

Brodeur explained that Enzo is “well socialized” and good around big groups, children, the elderly and people with disabilities. 

She said Enzo “a thousand percent, I would bet everything I have, did not bite [Shields].”

Brodeur explained that Enzo was probably trying to play with the couple, then the situation escalated as the Shields couple began screaming and kicking the dog. 

“He's never bit anyone. I've had kids like poking his face, pulling his tail…he's not aggressive at all,” she said. 

Brodeur was concerned after this incident and got Enzo an evaluation from the American Kennel Club to test how socialized he is.

Enzo passed the Canine Good Citizen evaluation that tested 10 skills like accepting strangers and listening to commands immediately without any extra training.

15 letters were also given to the Select Board supporting Brodeur and Enzo. 

Dorthy Doran, a Marion resident and neighbor of Brodeur, reported that there was loud, aggressive barking, but she did not see the incident happen. 

“I heard yelling and I heard not just bow-wow barking, it was aggressive growling and barking,” she said when she heard the incident from her porch, but did not see it. 

Doran explained the dog is aggressive inside his fenced yard, barking at walkers who pass by.

“I know there's other people that have gone by there and they're almost afraid of going by because they're afraid that dog's going to dig up and get under [the fence],” Doran said. 

Another neighbor of Brodeur defended Enzo explaining the dog is great with his 10 grandchildren, especially one of his grandchildren who is 11-years-old and has down syndrome. 

He said, “The dog to me is a typical dog and it's well trained in my own opinion.”

Select Board Chair Randy Parker believed Brodeur took proactive steps to get Enzo tested and was supported by the neighborhood community. 

Parker said, “I don't think the dog warrants any classification of [dangerous or a nuisance]. I think this has been a one-time thing.”

While the dog was not considered dangerous, the Select Board stated that if there is another incident within six months, this would be considered a false defense and there will be another hearing.