Date: July 3, 2014

Impounded dog returned to family

Hastings District Council will not proceed with legal action or pursue the destruction of “Dougie” a Boxer Cross dog seized by Animal Control Officers from Portsmouth Road, Flaxmere. The incident has been the subject of much speculation in local and social media since the dog was impounded on Friday 16th May 2014.

Council ACO’s were called to the property in Flaxmere following the receipt of a complaint from a member of the public, alleging the dog rushed as a gate is opened and it barked all day.

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule says “During a discussion over the behaviour of the dog with two family members, one of the ACO’s was set upon by the dog. The ACO did not suffer any bite wounds but subsequent actions by the family members resulted in Police attending the incident. Family members have apologised for their behavior during the incident and the Council will leave the matter of an alleged assault on the officers in the hands of the Police.”

Lawrence Yule says “In coming to a decision not to proceed with a legal process, Council officers weighed up the result of a previous court case involving a rushing dog and that the family has admitted that “Dougie” had been trained as a guard dog.”

“It has taken seven weeks to come to this decision due to the complexity of the case and Council also had to wait for a decision from Police as to whether they were going to include the dog in any legal action. Police have now advised that they will not involve the dog in any proceedings and that has allowed Council to proceed with the decision making process.”

Lawrence Yule says” Council will release the dog to the family but continues to have concerns over its behaviour and will give consideration as to whether the dog should be classified dangerous or menacing.”

“In regards to the time taken to make a decision in this case, Council has begun a review process to ensure that, in similar situations, a decision can be made within a maximum of three weeks,” Lawrence Yule says.

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