2020-03-19
Blair Police Committee
Dangerous Dog Hearing
and Potentially Dangerous Dog Hearing
March 19, 2020
5:00 PM
Present: Police Committee – Stewart, Hall
Staff: Attorney Solomon, Police Chief Lager
Absent: Shepard
Chairman Stewart called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
Motion by Stewart, second by Hall to approve the minutes from the June 25, 2019 meeting.
All members present voted Aye. Chairman Stewart declared the motion carried.
Agenda Item #3 - Chairman Stewart opened a public meeting regarding a request by Aaron
and Paige Hill, 2078 Colfax St., Blair to appeal the “Potentially Dangerous Dog Declaration” for
Scooch – Great Dane issued February 27, 2020. Police Chief Lager stated they received a
complaint that the Hill’s dog Scooch was running at large. The complaint came from Kelsey Maas
who was walking her dog next to the Hill residence when Scooch ran across the street and attacked
her dog. Scooch was placed in quarantine. The actions of Scooch deem that a potentially dangerous
dog declaration be issued as required by the municipal code. Kelsey Maas owner of the dog that
was attacked with notified of this meeting but did not want to participate personally in the hearing.
Aaron and Paige Hill were both present to request the potentially dangerous declaration be
removed from Scooch. They presented letters in support of Scooch from the following: Andrea
Lang, Kathy Rieken Gutshall, Carol and Kevin Frahm, Annie Kirby, Lisa Grabenbauer, Molly
Swanson and Rich Hansen. Motion by Stewart, second by Hall to receive and place on file the
letters and statements submitted from Kelsey Maas. All members present voted Aye. Chairman
Stewart declared the motion carried. Mr. Hill stated this incident was out of character for Scooch.
There were factors leading up to the incident that caused him to react that day. Ms. Hill stated they
have taken numerous steps to socialize him. He has been in several stressful situations with other
dogs like the doggie splash and never had any issues. He likes people, gives kisses and going to
stores around town and the dog park in Omaha. The Hill’s noted Scooch has had no issues with
Animal Control in the past. They are currently in the process of constructing a fence. Stewart
stressed the Hills are responsible for the dog in their yard especially when the animal is unleashed
or unfenced. The animal must be under the owner’s control. City Attorney Solomon stated the
attack was unprovoked and the city ordinance is here to protect the public. Hall noted these
restrictions are more for the owner than against the animal. The owner does have the ability to
come back before the committee in four (4) years to request the designation be removed if there
are no other incidents with Scooch. The committee can remove the designation now, but should
something happen in the future, the committee would not be tolerant. Motion by Hall, second by
Stewart to rescind the potentially dangerous dog declaration for Scooch All members present voted
Aye. Chairman Stewart declared the motion carried.
Motion by Stewart, second by Hall to adjourn the meeting at 5:27 p.m.
_______________________________________
Brenda Wheeler, Secretary