Charlton Select Board deems dog 'dangerous' and orders leash until secondary fence is installed

The Town of Charlton Select Board on Sept. 23 deemed a dog named Gia dangerous and ordered that the dog be kept humanely restrained — specifically leashed when outside — until the owner installs a secondary fencing solution, such as an underground or wireless boundary system.

The order followed a continuation of a dangerous‑dog hearing that began at the board’s May 27 meeting and resumed Tuesday evening in Town Hall. Animal Control Officer Ace L. Sears told the board the dog has repeatedly left the owner’s property and gone directly to a neighbor’s yard; while no physical attack was reported during the most recent escape, the officer recommended imposing the dangerous‑dog designation because the dog “gets out” and “goes directly over to their property every single time.” Sears summarized the recommendation: “So those are my — that's my recommendation.”

Why it matters: A dangerous‑dog designation carries legal and insurance implications for the owner and enables the board to require specific steps to reduce future risk. The order requires the dog be kept on a leash when outdoors immediately and until the owner installs an agreed secondary fencing device; failure to comply could prompt additional enforcement action.

Key testimony and findings

- Animal Control: Animal Control Officer Ace L. Sears told the board he received a new complaint three days after a prior 90‑day monitoring period ended. Sears reported the dog was loose again, found the dog had been let out by a sitter while gates had been propped open for lawn equipment, and said the dog’s pattern of repeatedly going to the same neighbor’s property supported finding the dog dangerous rather than a one‑time escape. Sears told the board that, other than escapes, “there was no incident” of an attack during that most recent event, but he nonetheless recommended a dangerous‑dog order because of the dog’s repeated at‑large behavior.

- Complainants: Kelly and William LePage, neighbors at 168 Berry Corner Road, told the board they observed Gia running in their driveway with their own dogs at large earlier in the year; Kelly LePage said she was outside doing yard work when she saw Gia and had to secure her own dogs before the sitter and owner were able to capture Gia. Kelly LePage suggested the town consider an underground fence to reduce run‑ins.

- Owner’s response: Owner Maureen McGinty, who lives at 185 Berry Corner Road, said she accepts responsibility, described practical challenges (she relies on a dog sitter and a lawn company whose equipment sometimes requires gates to be propped), and said she is willing to install a secondary control measure and to put the dog on a leash until a solution is in place. McGinty said she has already begun measures such as having the dog on a leash when others are present and installing signage and a camera to notify her when gates are opened.

Board decision and order

After discussion the board adopted a motion to deem Gia a dangerous dog and to require that Gia be humanely restrained — kept on a leash whenever outside the home — until the owner provides and verifies a secondary fencing solution (examples discussed at the hearing included an underground boundary system or a GPS/wireless boundary with alert and vibration functions). The Select Board’s motion passed; the chair recorded the motion as approved and the hearing was closed.

Sanctions, compliance steps and appeals

- Immediate requirement: Gia must be kept on a leash when outdoors pending installation of a secondary fencing device or other approved containment method. - Owner responsibility: The owner is responsible for installing an agreed secondary fence and ensuring sitters or contractors do not bypass self‑closing devices or leave gates propped open. - Enforcement and appeals: The board’s order creates a municipal enforcement obligation under the town’s dangerous‑dog procedures; the owner may pursue allowed appeals or further review under state or local procedures if desired.

What the transcript records

Animal Control Officer Ace L. Sears summarized the factual findings and recommendation: “So those are my — that's my recommendation.” Neighbors Kelly and William LePage described the dog running on their property and the practical disruption. Owner Maureen McGinty said she is “willing to do whatever it takes” to resolve the problem and noted she is installing cameras and will explore secondary fencing options.

Ending: The Select Board closed the hearing after issuing the order. The town’s animal control office will oversee compliance and may report back to the board if further incidents occur.