Portland officials offer hope for dog given ‘kill order’ for mauling man

Portland Animal Control offices and shelter are located near the base of the Arrigoni Bridge. Portland Animal Control offices and shelter are located near the base of the Arrigoni Bridge. Photo: File Photo Photo: File Photo Image 1 of / 12 Caption Close Portland officials offer hope for dog given ‘kill order’ for mauling man 1 / 12 Back to Gallery

PORTLAND — The owner of Rocky, the mixed-breed dog that attacked a resident two years ago, leaving him with serious injuries, is scheduled to sit down with First Selectwoman Susan S. Bransfield this week to try and find a solution that would prevent the dog from being put down.

The owner, Paul Bell, and his attorney Thompson G. Page, are scheduled to meet Thursday with Bransfield and Town Attorney Kari Olson to explore options.

“We are trying to put an end to this issue once and for all,” Bransfield said Tuesday.

Rocky has been confined in the Portland dog pound since the January 2016 incident during which he attacked a pedestrian, knocking him to the ground and causing serious wounds to the man’s ankles, calf and groin.

A passing motorist stopped to offer the man assistance, and was able to pull him into his car — with some difficulty — before he was rushed to Middlesex Hospital in Middletown, where he was treated for his injuries.

“We will be looking at alternatives and options to the disposal order,” Bransfield said. “We’re trying to be fair to all the parties involved. If there are solid alternatives, we need to explore then so we can avoid putting down the dog.

“At the same time, there has to be recognition that there is a victim here who was seriously injured,” she said. “Both parties are interested in getting together and working this out, with due consideration to all the parties that are involved.”

In recent months, there has been a groundswell of support for Rocky, led by a 10-year-old girl who launched a petition drive to save the now-4-year-old dog.

The girl, Annabelle Maruschock, and her supporters have become regular fixtures at Board of Selectmen meetings at which they express their desire to see Rocky saved.

The issue of dog attacks is not limited to Portland. The continuing dialogue has raised questions about the state-mandated process by which dogs are deemed dangerous and can be ordered to be euthanized.

In inviting Page to contact her about meeting to discuss the fate of Rocky, Bransfield had said she believed there were options other than euthanizing Rocky. She also said she agreed with Page that the present state law governing kill orders is old and needed to be revised.

Last year, state Rep. Christie Carpino, R-Cromwell, introduced legislation designed to establish a working group to study the growing number of dog bite cases. The proposed legislation also would have sought to find ways to reduce the number of kill orders issued.

That legislation failed to pass, however.

The state Department of Agriculture, which oversees cases involving dog attacks, and the issuance of so-called “kill orders”, has scheduled a meeting later this month to establish a task force to review the situation.

“The legislature dropped the ball and the Department of Agriculture has stepped in and picked up the ball,” Bransfield said.

Page did not immediately respond to a telephone call seeking comment for this story.

Reporter Jeff Mill covers East Hampton, Cromwell and Portland for the Middletown Press. Contact him at jeff.mill@hearstmediact.com.