Connecticut town seeks to rachet up penalties for canine attacks on dogs, humans

One of Portland couple William and Ann Barrows’ Yorkies Lizzie, right, died Nov. 15 after a Rottweiler/Labrador mix got away from his owner, grabbed her and shook her on Main Street. At left is Lola. One of Portland couple William and Ann Barrows’ Yorkies Lizzie, right, died Nov. 15 after a Rottweiler/Labrador mix got away from his owner, grabbed her and shook her on Main Street. At left is Lola. Photo: Contributed Photo Photo: Contributed Photo Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Connecticut town seeks to rachet up penalties for canine attacks on dogs, humans 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

PORTLAND — A spate of dog attacks, both on other dogs and, in one case, a man who required multiple stitches, have led to demands for the town — and the state — to take stricter actions with owners who do not restrain their dogs.

Maria A. Demarest, whose husband was injured by a dog a couple years back in town, has her own solution to the problem. “Anytime a dog attacks, it should be put down — no questions asked,” she said.

The issue was brought to the public’s attention in November, when resident William Barrows was walking his two Yorkshire terriers along a portion of Main Street. A Rottweiler/Labrador mix rushed out and attacked Lizzie, a 4-year-old Yorkie, Ann and William Barrows said. He repeatedly punched at the attacking dog in an effort to protect Lizzie.

He then raced home with the badly injured Lizzie. But despite his efforts, their pet died from her injuries, the couple said.

“She was a baby to us,” Ann Barrows said. “We have two of them, but she was the one who caught your eye whenever she did anything. She was a special little dog.”

Barrows and his wife Ann did not attend the most recent Board of Selectmen meeting during which the issue was discussed. But Demarest did, and she brought with her a harrowing story about her husband being attacked by a different dog almost two years ago.

Three times Demarest’s husband Steven was knocked to the ground by the dog, which bit him on his ankles, the back of his thigh, and his groin region, Maria Demarest said. Steven Demarest “karate kicked the dog in the head” as he tried to retreat to the safety of the family car, Maria Demarest said.

Her husband had to go to Middlesex Hospital, where he needed multiple stitches, she said. Both the Demarests also needed treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder following the unprovoked attack, Maria Demarest said. “The owner never tried to get the dog off my husband,” she told selectmen.

What’s more, she said, the owner refused to have the dog put down despite the viciousness of the attack. The owner appealed to the state Department of Agriculture to prevent the animal from being destroyed.

The dog was quarantined while a decision was made whether or not to euthanize it. That was two years ago, officials said. To date, the agriculture department has yet to issue a ruling in the matter, Maria Demarest and Animal Control Officer Karen Perruccio said.

In the meantime, the dog, whose name is Rocky, remains confined in the Portland dog pound, where he is visited daily by his owner. But Perruccio said the dogy has bonded with her and now considers her his owner.

“People in this town don’t care,” Maria Demarest said. “It’s always ‘My dog’s peaceful.’”

But, “Our lives have changed dramatically,” she said. “I’ve become a hostage in my own home.”

When they do go out to walk their dog, the Demarests take their phones and a spray used to drive away an attacking dog. Meanwhile, “Nothing has changed, and this has been going on for two years,” she said.

She brought photographs of her husband’s injuries that she shared with the selectmen.

“These are very difficult pictures to look at. They’re very frightening to look at,” First Selectwoman Susan S. Bransfield said.

Maria Demarest called upon the town to pressure the Department of Agriculture for a decision.

Perruccio said personnel reductions at the office have only exacerbated the situation.

The fact the state has not responded and resolved the matter is “unacceptable,” Deputy First Selectman Louis J. Pear said.

“The state has dropped the ball,” Selectman Benjamin A. Srb said.

Speaking about dog attacks, Pear said, “This is a big problem here in Portland,” a problem he said “can be disastrous. We need to make our feelings known to the state.”

Bransfield said she reached out to state Rep. Christie Carpino, R-Cromwell, to see if she could help get a time frame for a decision by the agriculture department. Bransfield said she had also referred the issue to Town Attorney Joseph B. Schwartz.

Tuesday, Bransfield said those efforts to apply pressure had paid off: She received a letter from the Department of Agriculture last week, which said a hearing officer had reached “a proposed final decision” regarding the fate of Rocky.

However, that decision is currently under review from Commissioner Steven K. Reviczky. The letter did not indicate when Reviczky would make a final decision, Bransfield said.

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