Committee delays decision on excess-animal permit after owner agrees to fence repairs and training

The Protection Policy Committee on July 28 voted to hold consideration of an excess‑animal permit for 917 Belv Avenue until its September 22 meeting while police and building inspections verify repairs and conditions at the property. The committee approved the hold after hearing neighbor letters, a police summary of complaints, and testimony from the property owner.

The nut graf: officer reports and neighbor letters described concerns about excessive barking, prior aggression and a dog bite; the petitioner said the bite did not break skin and that she has since scheduled training and made temporary repairs to the fencing while pursuing permanent repairs.

Lieutenant (presenting Officer Mavis’s findings) told the committee that Officer Mavis recommended denial after receiving three objection letters citing excessive barking and concerns about aggression and after a reported dog bite in May. The lieutenant said the bite victim attended urgent care and that vaccination records had been provided by the owner.

The property owner, Stacy Rumpz, said she adopted three dogs about a year earlier and did not realize Green Bay’s two‑dog limit required a permit for a third dog. Rumpz said she and her family have begun repairs to the yard barrier and added temporary clips to the gate; she stated she has a trainer visiting Aug. 5 and a veterinary appointment Aug. 13. Rumpz said her big dog, Parker, “burrowed underneath the gate” and nipped a neighbor while the neighbor walked to his car and did not wait for the owner’s request to hold on. Rumpz called the incident a “nip” and said the skin was not broken.

Neighbors submitted letters, including one from James Taylor (a neighbor and Rouge Management representative) that supported the household and said he had no prior problems during six years living upstairs. Police said they had no recorded CAD calls for barking in the area and that the barking complaints appeared in the letters submitted by neighbors.

Committee members and staff focused on the fence condition: staff confirmed the length of fence at the property is less than 50 linear feet and therefore does not require a building permit, but agreed the city would follow up to ensure the fence is put in good repair. The owner said temporary measures have been taken and that she intends to pursue a permanent fix but had been delayed by unrelated financial losses and planned other home repairs.

Action taken: the committee moved to hold the application until the Sept. 22 meeting, with police and inspection staff instructed to inspect the property and report back. If the inspectors confirm the fence and other corrective measures are complete and the police have no further complaints, the committee will revisit the permit request on Sept. 22. The motion passed by voice vote.

Less critical details: the owner said family members have autism-spectrum conditions and are working with therapists on documentation and training; the owner said the dogs are bonded to family members and she wants to keep them.