Templeton Select Board declares two dogs dangerous after June attack; owner absent from hearing

The Templeton Select Board on Sept. 10 declared two dogs — Daisy and Sprinkles, both kept at 18 Blake Avenue — dangerous after hearing testimony that the animals pushed open a gate and attacked a resident’s dog and its owner on June 15, 2025. The board voted to require the animals to be confined indoors, muzzled and leashed whenever outdoors, handled by an adult, microchipped for life and covered by liability insurance of at least $100,000. The board also authorized the chair to work with town counsel to craft and sign a written order to be served on the dog owner.

Why it matters: The board’s ruling creates legally enforceable restrictions on the dogs’ keeper and gives animal-control officers and the town a formal tool to seek court enforcement if the order is violated. Neighbors described repeated escapes and expressed concern about children waiting at a nearby school bus stop.

Brian Fitzpatrick, a Templeton resident who was injured in the June incident, testified under oath that the two dogs “charged the fence, broke open the gate, and immediately started attacking and biting my dog.” Fitzpatrick said he was thrown to the ground while trying to separate the animals and described serious personal injuries that required surgery: “I broke my finger. It’s permanently deformed,” he said. His dog, Bailey, was taken to Tufts for treatment, received a rabies booster and suffered multiple lacerations, puncture wounds and a broken dewclaw, according to the animal-control report introduced at the hearing.

Animal-control officers told the board the dogs were not licensed at the time of the June attack and that one animal, Sprinkles, was later rehomed by the owner through an online ad. The ACO’s written report says Melissa Austin, identified as the owner, “rehome[d] Sprinkles approximately 3 weeks ago to somebody on Craigslist” and could not provide contact information for the new keeper when asked. That rehoming occurred while Sprinkles was under quarantine related to the bite incident, which animal-control staff said should have been reported to them.

Town counsel advised the board on remedies under Massachusetts General Laws chapter 140, section 157, and the town bylaw cited by animal-control. Counsel explained that declaring a dog dangerous allows the board to order specific measures — confinement, muzzling, insurance and, in extreme cases, euthanasia — and that the owner has a 10-day right to appeal any order. Counsel also said the board may petition the district court to impound a dog during the appeal period if the board seeks that relief.

Board members described the June attack as severe and repeatedly noted the owner’s absence from the hearing and delayed response to animal-control follow-ups. Select Board members voted unanimously to adopt the order as amended at the meeting. The board directed the chair to finalize a written order with counsel and to send it to the owner; animal-control staff said they will follow up on compliance and neighbors were urged to report any violations to the police and to animal control.

The board’s order includes: confinement indoors when on the owner’s property; muzzling and a leash whenever the dogs are outside on or off the property and handled by an adult; lifetime microchipping; and proof of liability insurance of no less than $100,000. The board also discussed possible additional requirements such as a secured roofed enclosure and stronger fencing, and noted those items could be included or adjusted in a formal written order if necessary.

The board’s action was prompted by sworn statements, eyewitness testimony from neighbors who intervened, and an animal-control incident report documenting injuries to both Fitzpatrick and his dog and a timeline of subsequent contacts between animal-control staff and the dog’s owner. The board noted that Sprinkles’ whereabouts remain unclear and said that uncertainty elevates neighborhood risk.

The hearing record shows citations for unlicensed and unvaccinated dogs were issued and processed for court; the animal-control officer reported Daisy was licensed and the citation paid on Aug. 18, 2025. The board’s order will be effective upon delivery to the owner; violations can lead to fines, further hearings and possible court petitions to impound the dogs during the appeal process.

The board asked animal-control staff to conduct follow-up checks and told neighbors to report any violations. Fitzpatrick told the board he is continuing physical therapy. The Select Board said it may call an emergency meeting if prompt enforcement becomes necessary.