LEVERETT — A large German shepherd that allegedly killed a smaller dog in the yard of a North Leverett home in mid-October, and which has also nipped at the heels of a child, is being ordered euthanized.
After the Select Board at a hearing Wednesday morning determined that Biggie, owned by Pierre Benoit of Sprinkle Road, had killed Annie, owned by David and Kathy Boron, on the afternoon of Oct. 15, members voted 3-0 to have the dog put down. This decision can be challenged through an appeal in Greenfield District Court.
“I think this is a dangerous dog that clearly has repetitive behavioral issues,” said Chairwoman Patricia Duffy.
Duffy said that its nipping at people and also not being licensed or vaccinated against rabies was also problematic. “This is a huge safety issue for this neighborhood,” Duffy said.
Board member Jed Proujansky said the dog appears to be showing hunting behavior, not a herding instinct. “That, to me, raises the level of concern,” Proujansky said.
While he suggested ordering that the dog be placed in a cage and wear a basket muzzle, he was resigned to euthanization as the best option.
Hankinson agreed, saying that the problem was compounded by the owner not following the rules. “Unfortunately, your dog is showing very threatening behavior,” Hankinson said.
David Boron said that his pet had been brutally mauled in front of his grandchildren, who were visiting due to having a half day at school
“Now children in the neighborhood are afraid of that killer dog,” Boron said. “A child gets attacked by this dog, who’s responsible?
A neighbor, Ricky Carey, who provided photos, also described graphically the incident, and shielded the children from seeing the deceased pet.
“I just fear for the grandchildren that come around, and other smaller pets that come around,” Carey said. “I mostly fear for the children on Sprinkle Road.”
Benoit said he offered apologies and was blindsided by what Biggie did. He said his dog usually barks from the porch, and never suspected that Biggie would harm another dog.
“I don’t think it would kill kids, it can’t catch a squirrel,” Benoit said.
Board sets new tax rate
In other business, the Select Board approved a single tax rate, with the projected tax rate going down from $15.16 per $1,000 valuation to $14.80 per $1,000 valuation.
But with the typical home value rising to around $501,000, the average tax bill will go up by $254, from $7,147 this year to $7,401 next year.
Hankinson said this marks the seventh year in a row that the tax rate in Leverett has gone down. For those on fixed incomes, he observed that the high-end properties and newer homes are going up in value more quickly, meaning those homeowners will see even sharper increases in property taxes.