ORANGE — The Selectboard last week ordered the rehoming or surrender of a pit bull owned by the man appealing the board’s decision to euthanize his other dog.
Rodney Cofske has until the beginning of November to appeal the decision regarding Orion, but told the Recorder the dog will likely be returned to the Conway man he got him from. Orion was deemed a nuisance by the Selectboard a year ago for frequently getting loose, and Cofske was asked to keep Orion tied up until a fence was built.
Janelle Caron, an officer with North Quabbin Regional Animal Control, testified at the Oct. 21 Selectboard meeting that the issue seemed to be resolved over the summer, but she has evidence of Orion getting loose on Sept. 23 and Oct. 8. She then asked the Selectboard to vote to have the dog rehomed or surrendered.
Caron said the town has a leash bylaw, but Cofske has violated it multiple times.
“The monetary fine only goes so far,” she told Selectboard members. She said this was the third nuisance hearing for Orion.
She previously said Orion had gotten loose on April 30, May 2, May 4 and May 13.
Desiree Dupont, who lives next door to Cofske’s business, Northeast Auto at 23 Eagleville Road, where his dogs reside, testified that Orion urinates in her yard, where her children play, and chases her chickens and geese.
Selectboard member Kelli Gerais said it is important for Orion to be rehomed for his safety.
In an interview, Cofske said he skipped the hearing because it would have been “a waste of time,” as he believes Caron and the Selectboard are biased against him.
In another matter, Cofske and attorney Michael Sheridan went before Orange District Court Clerk Magistrate Joella E. Fortier the following day as part of his appeal of the Selectboard’s decision in June to euthanize his other dog, a mixed-breed named Davidson. Cofske said he expects a written decision within seven to 10 business days.
“I think we’re going to be all right,” he said Friday morning.
The Selectboard voted unanimously in June to deem Davidson dangerous and to have him humanely euthanized after he allegedly bit three people. The board heard from two of the alleged bite victims at the meeting.
Davidson also resides at Northeast Auto. Cofske, who lives elsewhere, previously described him as a guard dog, saying he wants to protect himself and his business from break-ins and robberies. He has owned the business for about 10 years.
At the June meeting, Caron said the bite victims were customers who were allowed to be on the property and were not trespassing. She reported that the incidents occurred on Jan. 6, Feb. 16 and April 21. She explained one of the victims was an older woman with her 11-year-old grandchild. Caron said she fears what might happen if Davidson gets a hold of a child.
She said the first bite occurred when a customer walked through the garage bay. The second, she said, happened in the business’ office. The third also took place inside the 3,200-square-foot building. One of the alleged victims is an O’Reilly Auto Parts delivery driver.
But at the June meeting, Cofske argued against North Quabbin Regional Animal Control’s narrative. He disputed the older woman’s claim, insisting there is no way Davidson’s leash would have allowed him to reach her.
Cofske said Davidson is a gentle animal until he is frightened or threatened, in which case he becomes aggressive.
“That’s his job, to protect. That’s what he does. He is a sweet dog, if he knows you,” he told Selectboard members. “Once he knows who you are, he doesn’t care.”
