EGREMONT, MA -- The Selectmen are considering tightening up the town's leash law in light of a recent attack by an untethered dog.
The current fine for having an unleashed dog in Egremont, and in many communities throughout the state, is $25, Egremont Animal Control Officer Martin Clark said.
The matter was brought to the Selectmen on Tuesday night by residents Barry and Judy Weingart, whose Yorkshire terrier was attacked Aug. 9 by an unleashed dog. Judy Weingart, of Baldwin Hill Road, requested that the fine be raised to at least $1,000.
But Clark said during a telephone interview yesterday he didn't think the fine would end up higher than $50.
Judy Weingart told the Selectmen she was walking her two Yorkshire terriers on Baldwin Hill Road toward Town House Hill Road at about 5:30 a.m. when a springer spaniel owned by Claudia and Joseph Gold attacked her dog, Benji.
She said she had asked the Golds on two other occasions to leash their dog, but her requests were ignored. The Golds live on Town House Hill Road.
The 7-year-old terrier suffered a broken leg as a result of the attack; the Weingarts showed the Selectmen X-rays of the injury along with pictures of their dog after it was attacked and underwent surgery.
Judy Weingart said two pins had to be placed in the dog's leg in order for it to be put into a cast.
Clark said the Golds have indicated they will pay all of Benji's medical expenses.
The Gold's could not be reached for comment.
Judy Weingart estimated Benji's treatment would cost "several thousand dollars."
The Weingarts said they do not want the dog to be put down as a result of this attack. However, they are in favor of the dog being muzzled when in public, and they also want the spaniel removed from the Golds' home.
"I feel they are not responsible," Weingart said.
The Selectmen said they would consider the request to have the dog muzzled, but they did not respond to the request that the dog be removed from the Golds' home.
Selectwoman Mary Brazie said the town had tried to increase the fines associated with animal control several years ago, but for some reason the effort didn't get off the ground.
She also told Clark she would work with him to increase the fines.
The Selectmen have the power to raise the fines without holding a special town meeting, Martin said.
The Weingarts thanked Police Chief Reena Bucknell and Clark for their help over the past few weeks.
http://www.berkshireeagle.com/Storie...359528,00.html