A dog’s tale. . . Hazel is no longer labeled a dangerous dog
Sound Off – Dog gone it.
Here is a “Dog’s Tale” about justice for Hazel.
This is an amusing story to take our minds off all the seriousness in our world.
Hazel is a Whippet/Labrador mixed breed that has just avoided being declared a dangerous dog, thanks to her owners, Mary Jahr and Anthony Olson of Empire Township in Dakota County.
They persisted in appealing Hazel’s being labeled “a dangerous dog” because she crawled from under her fence and killed at least one chicken.
According to Sun ThisWeek reporter Laura Adelmann, the case involving Hazel came before Jean Erickson, public services and revenue division deputy director.
Aha, it turned out that Hazel had been provoked by the neighbor’s chickens who were allowed to run around loose in the yard and particularly along the rear fence.
Now what dog, particularly the breed that’s inclined to chase chickens, would not have been tempted to have a chicken dinner?
Erickson ruled in Hazel’s favor and the county withdrew its dangerous dog charge and Hazel is living freely at home.
Had she been ruled a dangerous dog, her owners would have had to register her, pay an annual fee, have her insured, micro chipped and leashed.
What’s more Hazel’s case resulted in the county amending its dangerous dog ordinance allowing owners 14 days to appeal a notice of a determination to declare their dog dangerous.
In this case there is a happy ending to the county barking up the wrong tree. – DON HEINZMAN
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