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Council gives Daisy the pit bull until May 5; owners must vaccinate or city will confiscate dog
Summary
After a public vicious-dog hearing, the council allowed Daisy, a pit-breed dog with multiple prior incidents, to remain in the city until May 5 provided owners obtain rabies vaccination and license within 24 hours and meet other conditions; the council voted to confiscate the dog immediately on any new incident before that date.
The St. Albans City Council held a public vicious-dog hearing concerning Daisy, a 5‑year‑old pit‑type dog with a multi‑year history of incidents, and voted to allow the dog to remain in the city on a conditional timetable.
Police and animal-control testimony summarized multiple complaints dating back to 2021, including attacks on pets that caused veterinary euthanasia and instances in which people walking leashed animals were injured when Daisy attacked. City animal-control records presented at the hearing showed multiple warnings and tickets for the dog and its owner for licensing and running-at-large violations.
After hearing from witnesses, neighbors and the owners, the council made a motion to allow Daisy to remain in the city through May 4 and ordered that Daisy must be out of the city by May 5. The council required the owners to make a vaccination appointment at a local veterinarian within 24 hours and directed the city to cover the vaccination and licensing costs. The council added that any complaint or incident between now and May 5 would be a “deal breaker” and would trigger immediate confiscation of Daisy by police; if Daisy remained in the city on May 5 the city also would confiscate the animal and seek rehoming.
The motion, made by Trudy Coffey and seconded by Councilor Eric, included these specific requirements: owners must schedule a rabies‑vaccination appointment within 24 hours, obtain proof of vaccination and license, and keep Daisy muzzled, leashed and under control whenever outside; the city will pay for the vaccination and license. The motion also directed staff to check compliance on May 5 and to confiscate Daisy immediately upon any new ordinance violation (for example, running at large) prior to that date.
Owners William Smith and Sarah Mayo told the council they plan to move to Florida within about a month and said they are arranging additional locks and other measures to secure Daisy; they also described financial strains and veterinary costs for the dog. Former animal‑control officer David McWilliams and other neighbors urged removal or rehoming, citing repeated incidents and potential city liability. Police and animal‑control staff recommended removal if compliance was not immediate.
The motion passed (voice vote) and council members reiterated that the council could revisit its action if the owners failed to comply or if another incident occurred before May 5.
