Irony in Springfield MO: Councilwoman's dog keeps attacking

[bahamutt99]

This gal is making excuses after her dog's 7th reported attack. But I can't even stop in Springfield for gas anymore because of breed bans. (Rather, I refuse to stop and give them my paltry $20. I'll go elsewhere.) They should be embarassed.


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Crossposted from the BSL list
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When is it okay to own a vicious dog in a BSL town? When you're a member of the council.

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More dog troubles for councilwoman

Attack on man's pet is the seventh reported in the past two years.

Wes Johnson
News-Leader


Springfield resident Eric Dawson says his dog, Lucky, is lucky to be alive.

Dawson said his dachshund-Pekingese mix was attacked by City Councilwoman Shelia Wright's Alaskan malamute Wednesday morning right in his own back yard.

Lucky was unharmed after Dawson, who recently underwent surgery, used a wooden cane to beat the animal off his pet.

According to city records, it was the seventh reported attack on neighborhood dogs by Wright's dogs in the past two years. The last incident resulted in a vicious-dog charge, but the case was never prosecuted.

Wright, up for re-election to the Zone 2 council seat, said late Wednesday she and her husband didn't know for sure how Zeke escaped from their fenced yard.

"We think someone came by in the night and let our dog out," Wright said. "Our gate was open this morning when we got up."

She said Zeke wears an electric shock collar that's triggered by a perimeter wire around the property if the dog tries to escape.

The system was working, and Wright said Zeke wouldn't have crossed the barrier. Asked how Zeke got out, Wright offered a theory.

"I don't know how it happened," she said. "Maybe someone took the collar off and put it back on him."

Short stint in pound

Dawson, on his way out to get the morning newspaper, said Lucky had walked around the corner of his garage at 1344 E. Walnut St. and immediately encountered the 120-pound malamute.

"I came around the corner, and my little dachshund was just yelping in pain and fear," Dawson said. "I saw her dog snapping its jaws and attempting to bite Lucky. I whacked it on the nose with my wooden cane and stood there yelling at it. It finally backed off and ran away."

Animal control officers managed to capture Zeke about a block away and take him to the animal shelter north of town.

Wednesday afternoon, Andy Wright picked up the animal from the pound.

Dawson said it was "absolutely ludicrous" that Wright's dog had escaped and attacked a neighborhood dog again.

"I am very upset," he said. "I have 2- and 4-year-old children, and I'm very concerned about them being in the front yard if this dog can get loose.

"This has happened repeatedly. I don't feel safe, even in my back yard."

Dawson tried to call Wright to complain about the attack, with no luck. He wants her to build a fence that will prevent her animals from escaping.

The Wrights live a half block from Dawson at 1303 E. Walnut St.

The Wrights' home is surrounded by a low, wrought-iron fence and an invisible electric fence to contain their three dogs.

Prosecutor decides

According to city records, the last reported incident involving the Wrights' dogs occurred in July.

Chris Carson told authorities that a malamute escaped from the Wrights' property and attacked his 6-month-old golden retriever.

Carson was walking Finley on a sidewalk near the Wrights' home when their dog dashed out a side gate and attacked Carson's pet.

Finley's right leg was injured. The Wrights paid the nearly $1,000 veterinary bill.

Ron Boyer, assistant director of the Springfield-Greene County Health Department, said it would be up to the city prosecutor to decide whether to pursue a vicious-dog case against the Wrights.

"Under the ordinance, if a dog has attacked a domestic animal or a human, or if it has shown the propensity to do that, by growling, barking or acting aggressively, then it could be considered a vicious dog," Boyer said.

If a dog is found to be vicious, a judge can order the animal euthanized or require its owners to meet various requirements, such as constructing a secure fence or carrying special insurance.

"We provide the information about the case," Boyer said. "It's up to the city prosecutor to decide whether to file charges."

Municipal Court Administrator David Yancey said the case never went to trial.

"All I know is that it wasn't prosecuted in November," he said.

Wright said the case was dropped when the city prosecutor failed to show up.

"We went to court four times on this," she said. "He didn't show up for the first two hearings, then he did show up for the third hearing. The fourth time he didn't, and the judge dropped the case."

Carson said he remembered signing two vicious dog injunctions against Andy and Shelia Wright and thought it was on its way to court.

When he learned Wednesday the case had been dropped, Carson said he was not surprised.

"It does bother me, but I'm not surprised," he said. "I imagine no one wanted to take her on."

Municipal Court Prosecutor Johnnie Burgess didn't return calls.

http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070215/NEWS01/702150395/1007


Prosecutor Johnnie Burgess
(417) 864-1892

Springfield City Council:
CityCouncil@ci.springfield.mo.us

City Manager
Bob Cumley
City Manager's Office
Busch Municipal Building
840 Boonville
Springfield, Missouri 65802
417-864-1001 or Contact by email. (wmerritt@ci.springfield.mo.us)

[jeoestreich]

Seven times!!!! A person would think that the owner of the dog would have done something about after the first time. A person would think that being a councilwoman she would want to set a good example and take care of the problem right away. Build a better fence, take the dog outside on a leash, do not leave it unsupervised outside. Our dogs are label viscous before they have ever done something and this dogs has attack seven times and nothing has been done. That is just bullcrap.

[bahamutt99]

They've already heard from me. I told them the law should apply equally to all, not just one breed.

[Old Timer]

sounds like that dog needs a good dose of bulldog thearpy then a 22 in the head.if my dog even farted in another dogs presence on the street and the owner thought it was a growl i would be paying out the ass in fines,probablly be thrown in jail and my dogs would all be put to sleep.ain't it funny how things work when you have a PC dog and a city job.

[Attila]

that councel woman needs to be replaced. That is just crooked pool there.

[BoogiemanBlood]

i emailed them. if they reply i'll post it. i stayed polite and let them know that it was obvious as in this case it is irresponsible owners not the breed that makes dogs dangerous. i also had a small rant about the appearance they were sending out which was crooked city govt. as i felt she was receiving special treatment since she was a councilwoman. like i said if they respond i'll post if for everybody.