Seekonk Selectmen Vote to Euthanize Dog

The Seekonk Board of Selectmen voted 4-0 Wednesday to euthanize a dog deemed a nuisance to the community. The decision was made after listening to testimony from Lee Ann Walker-Beard, whose labradoodle Benji was attacked by Nutmeg, a pitbull owned by Kathleen Craig of 321 Lincoln Street. The incident occurred on the night of July 3. Walker-Beard was walking her dog on Lincoln Street when she saw Nutmeg running towards her. Walker-Beard scooped Benji up in her arms to protect him. Nutmeg jumped up and bit Benji “several times,” Walker-Beard said. Benji sustained six puncture wounds in the attack and was taken to a veterinary hospital in Swansea. “He was in shock,” recalled Walker-Beard, noting Craig was “nowhere to be seen” when Nutmeg was attacking Benji.

Animal Control officers had reported two previous incidents involving Nutmeg in 2017. However, no other dogs were injured. Nutmeg had been quarantined for 10 days following the incidents. At the time, Craig had been notified to keep her dog on a leash at all times. Following the July 3 incident, Craig promised to keep Nutmeg restrained. She also offered to pay for Benji’s medical expenses. Craig claimed to be unaware of the town’s leash law, which prohibits dogs from running free.

Selectmen noted that Nutmeg had attacked other dogs in the past and decided the risk of letting Craig keep her dog was too great. “The next time (it) could be a child,” said selectman David Viera. “This is three strikes.” The animal control officers recommended that Nutmeg be euthanized. Other options under consideration were to advise Craig to keep the dog confined indoors or outdoors in an enclosed space, use a muzzle or restraint device when the dog is taken out of the house, or to take out an insurance policy for the dog. Craig has 10 days to appeal the board’s decision in Taunton District Court.