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Town Attorney Guy Krogh suggested the Lansing Town Board consider authorizing a contempt of court order to protect neighbors from a dangerous dog.  Krogh told the board that the owner has three dogs that are allowed to run free.  One in particular has been involved in multiple incidents in which people have been attacked.  Krogh declined to name the owner in the public Town Board meeting Wednesday, but he offered the board a possible remedy, saying the owner has refused to comply with previous court rulings.

"There is a person that has dogs that are frequently at large," Krogh told the board.  "One of them has already been adjudicated as a dangerous dog.  This dog was at large and attacked the same person for the third time."

Country Acres, the town's dog control contractor, consulted with Krogh because they have reached the limit of their authority to provide a lasting solution to the problem.  They initiated two previous dangerous dog proceedings and issued tickets to the owner. 

Krogh told the board they may authorize a contempt of court proceeding for violating the previous court order.  He noted that this is the third or fourth incident, and that the dog has been ordered to be securely confined, but the owner has not complied.

"The complainant is incensed," Krogh said.  "The dog owner was apparently on the porch when all this happened, and went inside and closed the door.  I don't know that -- that's what was reported to me."

Lansing updated its dog control law in 2010.  Among other things the law states that it is unlawful for any dog owner to allow a dog to run at large, be off the owner's property unless restrained by a collar and leash, or 'chase, jump upon, or otherwise harass any person in such a manner as to reasonably cause intimidation or fear or to put such person in reasonable apprehension of bodily harm or injury.'  It also prohibits owners from allowing their dogs to chase motor vehicles, bicycles, or other animals, vehicles, or devices.

Krogh said that it was fortunate the incident didn't cause a serious injury, but explained that is what the law would require to take the dog away from its owner permanently or euthanize the animal.  He said it is likely that a new dangerous dog proceeding will be initiated, but given the owner's apparent unwillingness to comply board members could consider authorizing a contempt of court order.

"Another dangerous dog proceeding isn't going to solve the problem," he said.  "This is the third or fourth time this has occurred.  They filed the first dangerous dog proceeding the second time, less than six months ago.  The dog was found to be dangerous."

Town Supervisor Kathy Miller added that her son had been bitten by the same dog while jogging.  Krogh said a number of people in the neighborhood have reported problems with the animal including an incident in which a bicyclist was knocked down.

"I think we need to do this before we have a really bad situation," Miller said.

Krogh said he would outline the details or the procedure and provide the information to a Lansing town justice, who must issue the order.

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