Politics & Government

Animal Control Hearing to be Rescheduled

Resident alleges stray dog picked up by College Park Animal Control and under supervision of All Dogs Club attacked her dog.

The county's Animal Control Commission will reschedule a hearing regarding an alleged attack by a stray dog that was picked up by the city's Animal Control and occurred on the watch of a dog daycare in College Park.

City resident Charron Parker alleged that in March a stray Labrador/boxer mix named Francis attacked her dachshund mix named Tido. At the time, Francis was allegedly under the supervision of privately owned All Dogs Club.

Parker was given the option to postpone the hearing, scheduled for July 13, because the owner of All Dogs Club did not show up.

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All Dogs Club owner Cindy Vernasco said on Friday that she thought the hearing was going to be rescheduled. She said she believed another party summoned by the commission had submitted a letter stating the party would not be available for July 13.

Before the hearing was discontinued, Parker alleged that Francis jumped the 6-foot chain link fence separating her house from All Dogs Club and attacked Tido, leaving eight bite marks, a hole in his spine and thousands of dollars worth of medical and therapy bills.

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She said she has paid the bills out of pocket with reimbursements from All Dogs Club.

Parker said her daughter, who was not present at the hearing, was the only member of her family to witness the alleged attack.

However, the commission was willing to continue on Wednesday with only Parker, College Park City Attorney Suellen Ferguson and College Park Animal Control Officer Vivian Cooper present, even though none of them witnessed the alleged attack.

"College Park, as I understand it, was responsible for the dog in the first place," the chair said.

The hearing is just one part a larger issue: At a , Ferguson said the hearing highlights liability issues for the city when animal control picks up stray animals and puts them in the care of a second party, such as All Dogs Club or foster families.

When the hearing does take place, the commission will determine if three sections of the county code were violated: Manner of Keeping Animals; Animals at Large Prohibited; and Vicious Animals.

As of late Friday afternoon, the new hearing date had not been set.


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