2017-09-05Blair Police Committee
Potentially Dangerous Dog Hearing
September 5, 2017
5:00 PM
Present: Police Committee — Kevin Hall, Marty Shepard and Hal Kephart
Staff — Chief Lager, Assistant City Administrator Green and City Attorney Tripp
Absent: Jon Stewart
Motion by Hall, second by Shepard to approve the minutes from the November 3, 2016 hearing.
All members present voted Aye. Vice Chairman Hall declared the motion carried.
Agenda Item #3 — Assistant City Administrator stated he will report for staff presenting the facts
of the Blair Police Department report and process taken to notify the Friends of the Animal
Shelter, 147 S. 4th St., Blair that Rames, a Border Collie Mix under their care, has been declared
a "Potentially Dangerous Dog" on August 15, 2017. Green reviewed the facts of Ramses. On
7/30/2017, Ramses, a Border Collie mix breed, then owned by Matthew Huseman, who currently
resides at 2408 Washington Street, ran from behind the house towards the street and sidewalk
where two people were running. Ramses began to bark and run after the runners, eventually
biting one runner on her right calf, causing one puncture wound that did not require medical
treatment (defined as "treatment administered by a physician or other licensed health care
professional that results in sutures or surgery or treatment for one or more broken bones"). On
7/30/2017, Ramses was quarantined at the Blair Animal Shelter for ten days for potential rabies
observation. On 8/1/2017, the owners decided to surrender Ramses to the Animal Shelter. On
8/9/2017, following the successful completion of the rabies quarantine, Krystal Hilscher, the
manager of the Jeanette Hunt Blair Animal Shelter, requested that any dangerous (or potentially
dangerous) dog declaration be cancelled to not limit the adoptability of Ramses. On 8/15/2017,
in accordance with the Blair Municipal Code, Ramses was declared a Potentially Dangerous
Dog, and the Blair Animal Shelter was informed that they could formally request this hearing to
appeal the declaration. The Police Committee has full authority to uphold or rescind this
declaration. Krystal Hilscher, Manager of the Jeanette Hunt Animal Shelter, appeared before the
committee stating that Rames is part collie and that type of breed like to be active and run. They
also need to be occupied or entertained but that since they have been housing him, they have
seen no signs of aggression. Ms. Hilscher presented Rames for observation by the Committee in
which he appeared to be content and playfully excited with his tail wagging. She stressed the
fact that this this declaration, it would make it difficult to adopt Rames. They believe he is an
adoptable dog and hope to adopt him to someone that has room for him to run. Committee
member Shepard stated the previous owner should have kept Rames in a fenced yard. Ha1L
questioned that if this declaration is rescinded, all dangerous dog requirements would not be
required. Green stated that would be a correct statement. Motion by Hall, second by Shepard to
rescind the "Potentially Dangerous Dog" declaration for Rames. All members present voted
Aye. Vice Chairman Hall declared the motion carried.
Agenda Item #4 — Assistant City Administrator stated he will report for staff presenting the facts
of the Blair Police Department report and process taken to notify Mark Glowicki and Rebekah
Lee, 1478 Oak Dr., Blair to designate Mizu, a Shepard Mix as "Potentially Dangerous Dog
Declaration" on August 15, 2017. Green reviewed the facts on Mizu. On 8/7/2017, Mizu, a
Shepherd mix breed, was out with its owner on a spontaneous short walk unleashed. A few
houses down the street, Mizu encountered a 5 -year old black lab named Lucy. The two dogs
began snarling at each other, and Mizu ended up biting Lucy on her back, requiring a treatment
by a veterinarian. On 8/8/2017, a citation was issued for Dog at Large. On 8/8/2017, Chief Lager
submitted a request to have Mizu declared a Potentially Dangerous Dog for "injuries to a
domestic animal either on public or private property". On 8/15/2017, in accordance with the
Blair Municipal Code, Mizu was declared a Potentially Dangerous Dog, and the owner was
informed that they could formally request this hearing to appeal the declaration. The Police
Committee has full authority to uphold or rescind this declaration. Mark Glowicki and Rebekah
Lee, owners of Mizu, were both present. Mr. Glowicki stated this was totally their fault and
believes it was a one-time event. They both reported that Mizu has previously played well with
other dogs and they have had no issues with her being aggressive when they have had large
gatherings in their home. They presented a video to the Committee of Mizu on a leash and
meeting a new dog as they walk. Committee member Hall had the dog owners acknowledge
what happens when you do not have your animals on a leash. They also indicated they
volunteered to pay for all medical costs incurred by the other party and presented several letters
from family members in support of Mizu being a non-aggressive animal. Motion by Hall,
second by Shepard to rescind the "Potentially Dangerous Dog" declaration for Mizu. All
members present voted Aye. Vice Chairman Hall declared the motion carried.
Assistant City Administrator Green firmly reminded each animal owner that animals need to be
cared for because these types of issues can happen in a split second and a waiving or rescinding
of a declaration will not happen a second time.
Motion by Kephart, second by Hall to adjourn the meeting at 5:23 p.m. All Committee members
present voted Aye. Chairman Kephart declared the hearing adjourned.
Brenda Wheeler, City Clerk