MARION – Miles Grant had been taking his goldendoodle Harry to the canine group at Silvershell Beach in Marion for years on the morning of Dec. 21, 2023. He and the 8-year old canine had been regulars within the group from 2017 to 2019 when Grant lived in Marion.
On that Thursday round 8:30 a.m., whereas walking from the parking zone in direction of the concession stand space the place the group gathers, a St. Bernard owned by Marion resident Verena Hultsch approached Grant and his canine.
Then the St. Bernard lunged, in response to Grant.
What allegedly occurred instantly after served as the premise for a grievance Grant, a Fairhaven resident, submitted to the city of Marion that has prompted the Marion Select Board to maneuver to carry a public listening to concerning Hultsch’s St. Bernard.
“It attacked Harry as I yelled at it, then I kicked it several times to try to get it off,” Grant’s written grievance stated. “Harry was able to get free and ran across the park to try to hide behind the octagonal sandpit area, but the St. Bernard chased him and attacked him again. It did not stop until I had kicked it again several times.”
At a Feb. 26 particular assembly, the Select Board mentioned Grant’s grievance. The 55-pound goldendooddle was wounded within the again, in response to the grievance.
“The dog is immense, and it’s a miracle that that was not worse,” Marion Animal Control Officer Susan Connor stated. “It’s a wonder that Mr. Grant wasn’t injured.”
Connor stated she was advised by Hultsch that the canine is “not friendly” and “not to approach it.” Hultsch was not capable of attend the Feb. 26 assembly.
The St. Bernard additionally growled, in response to Connor. During a earlier May 2023 encounter at Washburn Park, Connor stated she noticed the canine in a defensive posture.
“I was out of the truck and the dog was aggressively moving toward me,” Connor stated. “And I advised the owner that the dog was not suitable to be off-leash.”
Select Board Member Toby Burr stated he spoke to 2 folks whose dogs have often performed with the St. Bernard.
“Their remark was ‘There’s nothing mistaken with that canine,’ Burr stated.
Connor stated her advice was that the canine be secured on a leash now not than 3 toes and put on a muzzle when it leaves the proprietor’s property. She additionally advised that Hultsch fence her yard, so the canine “doesn’t have access to the public” ought to it escape.
“The responsibility lies with the owner,” Connor stated. “There are very few dogs that are just born with some sort of an issue that causes them to be aggressive.”
