Animal Control

Regular Meeting

Springfield, MA · February 13, 2025

Minutes

Animal Control , Regular http://www.springfieldcityhall.com ~ Minutes ~ Gladys Oyola-Lopez Thursday, February 13, 2025 10:00 AM Hybrid Room 205 Call to Order 10:00 AM Meeting called to order on February 13, 2025 at Hybrid Room 205, City Hall, Springfield, MA. Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Melvin A. Edwards Ward 3 Councilor Present Keith Fleming Police Officer Present Camile Nelson Campbell Deputy City Clerk Present Joel Rosemond Police Officer Absent Megan Landry Board Member Present Veronica Johns Board Member Present Aprroval of Minutes 1. December 19, 2024 Minutes COMMENTS - Current Meeting: Read. Board Member Edwards made a motion to accept the minutes the motion was seconded by Board Member Landry. Roll call votes on the motion Board member Edwards Yes Board member Fleming Yes Board member Johns Abstained Board member Landry Yes Board member Nelson Campbell yes Motion passed by roll call votes. Minutes approved. Animal Control Page 1 Printed 5/30/2025 Regular Minutes February 13, 2025 Dangerous Hearing 2. Dangerous Dog Hearing for Two(2) Dogs Named Kuma and Nikita at 85 Narragansett St Owned by Cortney Cheney. COMMENTS - Current Meeting: Read. Renee Robichaud, Animal Control Officer for Thomas J. O’Connor (TJO) and Adoption Center read their reports. Complainant Krystin Wanczyk stated it's not the first, second or third time, at least one of the dog is dangerous to men and they are not safe dogs to be around. Respondent Cortney Cheney stated the first incident happened in October, and she felt like it was a disservice to the dogs by not property introducing them by assuming they are all friendly animals. The dogs are not aggressive. The second incident was preventable, because they were aware not to let the dogs out unattended. She took the dog to the Vets, she feels terrible for what happened. Kuma is signed up behavioralist evaluation for his anxiety. Tracy Cheney stated the dogs are good dogs and they are not aggressive. Cortney is very responsible from the day Kuma was born; she has done everything possible for Kuma. Krystin should take some of the responsibility for her action. Rebuttal Krystin Wanczyk stated most of the days the dogs are alone, and they are high energy. Their dogs have been outside unattended. Her dog was healthy and should still be her with her and there is nothing she can do to bring her dog back. Cortney Cheney said she goes in and out on her lunch break on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. She has never let her dogs out unattended. It's a very unfortunate situation. Tracy Cheney said the dog's just not vicious. Board Member Edwards made a motion to deem the dogs dangerous the motion was seconded by Board Member Fleming. Roll call votes on the motion Board member Edwards Yes Board member Fleming Yes Board member Johns No Animal Control Page 2 Printed 5/30/2025 Regular Minutes February 13, 2025 Board member Landry Yes Board member Nelson Campbell yes Motion passed by roll call votes. The Advisory and Hearing Committee has imposed the following condition on the animals: 1.That whenever the dog is removed from the premises of the owner, the dog shall be securely and humanely muzzled and restrained with a leash having a minimum tensile strength of 300 pounds and not exceeding three feet in length. As defined in Chapter 110, Section 10-B-3 of the Code of the City of Springfield Ordinance. Roll call votes on the condition Board member Edwards Yes Board member Fleming Yes Board member Johns No Board member Landry Yes Board member Nelson Campbell yes Condition passed by roll call votes Non-Compliance Hearing 3. Dangerous Dog Hearing for Dogs Named Charlie, Deja and Brenda at 66 Leyfred Ter Owned by Abdul Kabba. He has failed to comply with the secure enclosure and has yet to provide proof of liability insurance. COMMENTS - Current Meeting: Read. Complainant Renee Robichaud, Animal Control Officer for Thomas J. O’Connor (TJO) and Adoption Center read their reports. Respondent Abdul Kabba said his dogs are well behaved. He built the dog handle that he was asked to build. TJO O'Connor came and took pictures of the handle, so he's not aware if it's did not meet their expectation. The dogs does not leave his yard, they are surrounded. Rebuttal Animal Control Page 3 Printed 5/30/2025 Regular Minutes February 13, 2025 Officer Robichaud said the most visit on the 10th, it is missing one section of the wire. It is now a physical enclosure of some kind, which is progress. The recent pictures look much better. Board Member Johns made a motion to imposed the five hundred dollar (500.00) fine for non- compliance the motion was seconded by Board Member Edwards. Roll call votes on the motion Board member Edwards Yes Board member Fleming No Board member Johns Yes Board member Landry No Board member Nelson Campbell No Motion failed by roll call votes. Board Member Edwards made a motion that the secured enclosure to be completed by Monday, February 17th, 2025 the motion was seconded by Board Member Johns. Roll call votes on the motion Board member Edwards Yes Board member Fleming Yes Board member Johns yes Board member Landry Yes Board member Nelson Campbell Yes Motion passed by roll call votes. The Advisory and Hearing Committee has imposed the following conditions on the animal: 1. That the secured enclosure to be completed by Monday, February 17th, 2025. Thomas J. O'Connor (TJO) will do a follow in the same week to make sure compliance are met. As defined in Chapter 110, Section 10-B-9 of the Code of the City of Springfield Ordinance. Animal Control Page 4 Printed 5/30/2025

Agenda

Packet

Animal Control , Regular http://www.springfieldcityhall.com ~ Agenda ~ Gladys Oyola-Lopez Thursday, February 13, 2025 10:00 AM Hybrid Room 205 Call to Order 10:00 AM Meeting called to order on February 13, 2025 at Hybrid Room 205, City Hall, Springfield, MA. Aprroval of Minutes 1. December 19, 2024 Minutes Dangerous Hearing 2. Dangerous Dog Hearing for Two(2) Dogs Named Kuma and Nikita at 85 Narragansett St Owned by Cortney Cheney. Non-Compliance Hearing 3. Dangerous Dog Hearing for Dogs Named Charlie, Deja and Brenda at 66 Leyfred Ter Owned by Abdul Kabba. He has failed to comply with the secure enclosure and has yet to provide proof of liability insurance. Animal Control Page 1 Printed 2/5/2025 1 Animal Control , Regular http://www.springfieldcityhall.com ~ Minutes ~ Gladys Oyola-Lopez Thursday, December 19, 2024 10:00 AM Hybrid Room 205 Call to Order 10:00 AM Meeting called to order on December 19, 2024 at Hybrid Room 205, City Hall, Springfield, MA. Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Melvin A. Edwards Ward 3 Councilor Present Communication: December 19, 2024 Minutes (Aprroval of Minutes) Keith Fleming Police Departmnet Absent Camile Nelson Campbell Deputy City Clerk Present Joel Rosemond Police Officer Absent Megan Landry Board Member Present Veronica Johns Board Member Absent Approval of Minutes October 17, 2024 Minutes COMMENTS - Current Meeting: Read Board Member Edwards made a motion to accept the minutes the motion was seconded by Board Member Landry. Roll call votes on the motion Board Member Edwards Yes Board Member Fleming Absent Board Member Johns Absent Board Member Landry yes Board Member Nelson Campbell Yes Motion passed by roll call votes 3-0 Minutes approved. Nuisance Hearing 1. Nuisance Dog Hearing for a Dog Named Mia at 64 California Ave Owned by Peter Gallucci. First Hearing Held on July 18 and a Follow Hearing Held on August 15. Animal Control Page 1 Printed 2/5/2025 Packet Pg. 2 1 Regular Minutes December 19, 2024 COMMENTS - Current Meeting: Read. Complainant Renee Robichaud, Animal Control Officer for Thomas J. O’Connor (TJO) and Adoption Center read their reports. Respondent Peter Gallucci stated he paid the $300 fine he received. Rebuttal Communication: December 19, 2024 Minutes (Aprroval of Minutes) none. Board Member Edwards made a motion to deem the dog a Nuisance the motion was seconded by Board Member Landry. Roll call votes on the motion Board Member Edwards Yes Board Member Fleming Absent Board Member Johns Absent Board Member Landry yes Board Member Nelson Campbell Yes Motion passed by roll call votes 3-0. Board Edwards explained to Mr. Gallucci what could happen to his dog for getting out. Mr. Gallucci asked if he should keep his dog on a leash in the back yard. Board Edwards said yes. Board Landry asked Mr. Gallucci if his yard is fenced in. Mr. Gallucci said pretty much, and he has a runner in the back yard. The Advisory and Hearing Committee has imposed the following conditions on the animal: 1. That the dog be humanely restrained. As defined in Chapter 110, Section 10-1 of the Code of the City of Springfield Ordinance. 2. That the dog be tethered when in the yard. As defined in Chapter 110, Section 10-9 of the Code of the City of Springfield Ordinance Animal Control Page 2 Printed 2/5/2025 Packet Pg. 3 1 Regular Minutes December 19, 2024 Roll call votes on the conditions Board Member Edwards Yes Board Member Fleming Absent Board Member Johns Absent Board Member Landry yes Board Member Nelson Campbell Yes The board voted to deem the dog a Nuisance with the above listed conditions by roll call votes 3-0. Communication: December 19, 2024 Minutes (Aprroval of Minutes) Non-Compliance Hearing 2. Dangerous Dog Hearing for a Dog Named Abby at 192 Harkness Ave Owned by Mark Tourangeau. COMMENTS - Current Meeting: Read. Complainant Renee Robichaud, Animal Control Officer for Thomas J. O’Connor (TJO) and Adoption Center read their reports. Respondent Mark Tourangeau did not appear. This is the third hearing. The first hearing was July 18 th 2024 and the second was October 17th 2024. Rebuttal none. Board Member Edwards made a motion to deem the dog as Dangerous the motion was seconded by Board Member Landry. Roll call votes on the motion Board Member Edwards Yes Board Member Fleming Absent Board Member Johns Absent Board Member Landry yes Board Member Nelson Campbell Yes Animal Control Page 3 Printed 2/5/2025 Packet Pg. 4 1 Regular Minutes December 19, 2024 Motion passed by roll call votes 3-0. The Advisory and Hearing Committee has imposed the following conditions on the animal: A Non-Compliance Hearing was held on December 19, 2024 by the Animal Control Advisory and Hearing Committee in accordance with Chapter 110, Section 10 of the Code of the City of Springfield Ordinance, 2012, as amended for dangerous dog hearing for your dog named Abby. The committee had voted to deem your dogs as Dangerous at a previous dangerous dog hearing that was held on July 18, 2024 in which Abbey was ordered to be impounded, due to your Communication: December 19, 2024 Minutes (Aprroval of Minutes) absence from the hearing. An additional Dangerous Dog Hearing was scheduled on October 17, 2024 in which, you again, did not attend. At that meeting, again without your attendance, Abby was ordered to be euthanized. The euthanasia order was due to the fact that Abby had escaped three times, and had attacked two separate dogs on two separate occasions. The Hearing Committee was hoping to hear your side of the story and potentially order conditions that would prevent Abby’s escape and attack on other animals but without your attendance, and evidence of the above-mentioned escapes and roaming of the City, coupled with two separate attacks, a Euthanasia Order was voted by the Committee. At the December 19th Non-Compliance Hearing the Committee found the orders on July 18, 2024 and October 17, 2024 were valid orders and you failed to comply with said orders. For that reason, the Animal Control Advisory and Hearing Committee voted to fine you Five Hundred Dollars pursuant to Chapter 140 Section 157A. Please note transferring ownership or possession of your dog is prohibited under subsection (3) of Chapter 140 Section 157A. In addition, the order to have your dog euthanized is still a valid order. An appeal of this decision may be filed in District Court within 21 days of receiving this notice per Section 110-13(E) of the Springfield, MA ordinance. Roll call votes on the condition Board Member Edwards Yes Board Member Fleming Absent Board Member Johns Absent Board Member Landry yes Board Member Nelson Campbell Yes The board voted to deem the dog as Dangerous with the above listed conditions by roll call votes 3-0. Animal Control Page 4 Printed 2/5/2025 Packet Pg. 5 1 Regular Minutes December 19, 2024 3. Dangerous Dog Hearing for a Dog Named Cuban at 67 Bowles Park Owned by Mya Gaskins COMMENTS - Current Meeting: Read. Complainant Renee Robichaud, Animal Control Officer for Thomas J. O’Connor (TJO) and Adoption Center read their reports. Respondent Communication: December 19, 2024 Minutes (Aprroval of Minutes) Mya Gaskins stated she's moving at the of the month, and she has the liability insurance. Rebuttal none. Board Member Edwards made a motion to deem the dog as Dangerous the motion was seconded by Board Member Landry. Roll call votes on the motion Board Member Edwards Yes Board Member Fleming Absent Board Member Johns Absent Board Member Landry yes Board Member Nelson Campbell Yes Motion passed by roll call votes 3-0. The Advisory and Hearing Committee has imposed the following conditions on the animal: 1. That the dog must be leashed and muzzled when walked on or off the property in accordance with Chapter 110, Section 10-B-3 of the Code of the City of Springfield Ordinance. 2. That the owner or keeper of the dog provide proof of insurance in an amount not less than $100,000 insuring the owner or keeper against any claim, loss, damage or injury to persons, domestic animals or property resulting from the acts, whether intentional or unintentional, of the dog or proof that reasonable efforts were made to obtain such insurance if a policy has not been issued; provided, however, that if a policy of insurance has been issued, the owner or keeper shall produce such policy upon request of the hearing authority or a justice of the district court; and provided further, that if a policy Animal Control Page 5 Printed 2/5/2025 Packet Pg. 6 1 Regular Minutes December 19, 2024 has not been issued the owner or keeper shall produce proof of efforts to obtain such insurance provided to Thomas J. O’Connor within twenty-one (21) days. 3. A dangerous dog license shall be acquired annually at a fee of one hundred dollars ($100). As defined in Chapter 110-2-B-10-C of the Code of the City of Springfield Ordinance Roll call votes on the conditions Board Member Edwards Yes Board Member Fleming Absent Board Member Johns Absent Board Member Landry yes Board Member Nelson Campbell Yes Communication: December 19, 2024 Minutes (Aprroval of Minutes) The board voted to deem the dog as Dangerous with the above listed conditions by roll call votes 3-0. 4. Nuisance Dog Hearing for a Dog Named Coco at 45 Redfern Dr Owned by Alexander Andino COMMENTS - Current Meeting: Read. Complainant Renee Robichaud, Animal Control Officer for Thomas J. O’Connor (TJO) and Adoption Center read their reports. Respondent Alexander Andino stated he's no longer living at 45 Redfern Dr. He is currently staying with a friend. Rebuttal none. Board Member Edwards made a motion to deem the dog a Nuisance the motion was seconded by Board Member Landry. Roll call votes on the motion Animal Control Page 6 Printed 2/5/2025 Packet Pg. 7 1 Regular Minutes December 19, 2024 Board Member Edwards Yes Board Member Fleming Absent Board Member Johns Absent Board Member Landry yes Board Member Nelson Campbell Yes Motion passed by roll call votes 3-0. The Advisory and Hearing Committee has imposed the following condition on the animal: 1. That the dog must be leashed when not in the home or secured kennel, in accordance with Chapter 110, Section 10-A of the Code of the City of Springfield Ordinance. Communication: December 19, 2024 Minutes (Aprroval of Minutes) Roll call votes on the condition Board Member Edwards Yes Board Member Fleming Absent Board Member Johns Absent Board Member Landry yes Board Member Nelson Campbell Yes The board voted to deem the dog a Nuisance with the above listed condition by roll call votes 3-0. Animal Control Page 7 Printed 2/5/2025 Packet Pg. 8 Packet Pg. 9 2 Communication: Dangerous Dog Hearing for Two(2) Dogs Named Kuma and Nikita at 85 Narragansett St Owned by Cortney Cheney. Packet Pg. 10 2 Communication: Dangerous Dog Hearing for Two(2) Dogs Named Kuma and Nikita at 85 Narragansett St Owned by Cortney Cheney. Packet Pg. 11 2 Communication: Dangerous Dog Hearing for Two(2) Dogs Named Kuma and Nikita at 85 Narragansett St Owned by Cortney Cheney. Packet Pg. 12 2 Communication: Dangerous Dog Hearing for Two(2) Dogs Named Kuma and Nikita at 85 Narragansett St Owned by Cortney Cheney. Packet Pg. 13 2 Communication: Dangerous Dog Hearing for Two(2) Dogs Named Kuma and Nikita at 85 Narragansett St Owned by Cortney Cheney. Packet Pg. 14 2 Communication: Dangerous Dog Hearing for Two(2) Dogs Named Kuma and Nikita at 85 Narragansett St Owned by Cortney Cheney. Packet Pg. 15 2 Communication: Dangerous Dog Hearing for Two(2) Dogs Named Kuma and Nikita at 85 Narragansett St Owned by Cortney Cheney. Packet Pg. 16 2 Communication: Dangerous Dog Hearing for Two(2) Dogs Named Kuma and Nikita at 85 Narragansett St Owned by Cortney Cheney. Packet Pg. 17 2 Communication: Dangerous Dog Hearing for Two(2) Dogs Named Kuma and Nikita at 85 Narragansett St Owned by Cortney Cheney. Packet Pg. 18 2 Communication: Dangerous Dog Hearing for Two(2) Dogs Named Kuma and Nikita at 85 Narragansett St Owned by Cortney Cheney. Packet Pg. 19 2 Communication: Dangerous Dog Hearing for Two(2) Dogs Named Kuma and Nikita at 85 Narragansett St Owned by Cortney Cheney. Packet Pg. 20 2 Communication: Dangerous Dog Hearing for Two(2) Dogs Named Kuma and Nikita at 85 Narragansett St Owned by Cortney Cheney. Packet Pg. 21 2 Communication: Dangerous Dog Hearing for Two(2) Dogs Named Kuma and Nikita at 85 Narragansett St Owned by Cortney Cheney. Packet Pg. 22 2 Communication: Dangerous Dog Hearing for Two(2) Dogs Named Kuma and Nikita at 85 Narragansett St Owned by Cortney Cheney. Packet Pg. 23 2 Communication: Dangerous Dog Hearing for Two(2) Dogs Named Kuma and Nikita at 85 Narragansett St Owned by Cortney Cheney. Packet Pg. 24 2 Communication: Dangerous Dog Hearing for Two(2) Dogs Named Kuma and Nikita at 85 Narragansett St Owned by Cortney Cheney. Packet Pg. 25 2 Communication: Dangerous Dog Hearing for Two(2) Dogs Named Kuma and Nikita at 85 Narragansett St Owned by Cortney Cheney. Packet Pg. 26 2 Communication: Dangerous Dog Hearing for Two(2) Dogs Named Kuma and Nikita at 85 Narragansett St Owned by Cortney Cheney. Packet Pg. 27 3 Communication: Dangerous Dog Hearing for Dogs Named Charlie, Deja and Brenda at 66 Leyfred Ter Owned by Abdul Kabba. (Dangerous Packet Pg. 28 3 Communication: Dangerous Dog Hearing for Dogs Named Charlie, Deja and Brenda at 66 Leyfred Ter Owned by Abdul Kabba. (Dangerous Packet Pg. 29 3 Communication: Dangerous Dog Hearing for Dogs Named Charlie, Deja and Brenda at 66 Leyfred Ter Owned by Abdul Kabba. (Dangerous