Nassau County magistrate orders euthanasia of dog Bailey after Aug. 16 attack

Harrison Poole, special magistrate for code enforcement in Nassau County, on Sept. 23 upheld a dangerous-dog declaration for a dog named Bailey and directed that the animal be humanely euthanized after staff said Bailey attacked two people on Aug. 16, 2025.

The decision follows testimony and evidence presented by Nassau County Animal Services (NCAS) staff, including affidavits, photographs and an AnimalView report, and a Dunbar bite-scale assessment that NCAS staff characterized as a level 5 attack. The owner, Maria Centron of 44695 Pine Breeze Circle, Callahan, appealed the county’s dangerous-dog declaration and asked for the dog to be returned under conditions and with training and insurance.

Poole said the record showed Bailey left the owner’s home, entered a public roadway and inflicted “severe injuries” on two adults. He found the county had met its burden by clear and convincing substantial evidence and ordered humane euthanasia, while informing Centron of appeal rights to the circuit court.

Amy Bell, interim director of Nassau County Animal Services, summarized the agency’s case and identified the owner and the dog. Bell said the dangerous-dog declaration was hand-delivered to Centron on Aug. 27 and that hearing notices were mailed and posted in September. NCAS asked the magistrate to uphold the declaration and recommended euthanasia, citing the severity of the attack and “the likelihood of a future threat to public safety, health, and welfare.”

Nicholas Batchelor, an animal control officer who responded to the Aug. 16 incident, testified that two victims taken by Nassau County Fire Rescue had severe injuries to their faces and extremities and that Bailey ‘‘while unprovoked, proceeded into the public roadway and began attacking both victims.’’ Batchelor also said the owner had failed to keep the animal properly restrained in violation of Nassau County Code section 6-45 (restraint).

Lothar Eckhart, a field training officer for NCAS, testified that investigators reviewed affidavits and photographs and that the agency declared Bailey dangerous on Aug. 26–27 and impounded the dog on Aug. 19 pending the hearing. Eckhart said the Dunbar bite-scale assessment applied to the injuries was level 5 and that Bailey had remained under quarantine/impound since Aug. 19 (about 35 days at the hearing).

Tim McGuire, assistant director of NCAS, explained the Dunbar scale during testimony: ‘‘A level 5 bite is a multi‑bite incident with at least two level‑4 bites or multiple attack incidents with at least one level‑4 bite in each. . . . In my opinion, this dog is dangerous, and does pose a future threat to citizens of Nassau County.’’ McGuire also cited state statute provisions that, as he read them, require humane euthanasia if a surrendered dog has a Dunbar bite history at or above the statutory threshold.

Maria Centron testified she had kept Bailey since birth, described the dog as a family pet, acknowledged the attack occurred when she was taking out trash and said Bailey ran out the front door. Centron said she has since installed fencing and other precautions, has sought training resources and was working to obtain the required insurance. She said she ‘‘did not see them until she went running across the yard’’ and characterized the event as an accident; Poole told her he found her credible but had to weigh public safety.

Poole reviewed the statutory and local code framework cited by NCAS at the hearing (Nassau County Code section 6‑47 and provisions of the Florida Statutes governing dangerous dogs) and said the county’s evidence satisfied the statutory definition of a dangerous dog. He also addressed the owner’s procedural rights and appeal options: a written order will be entered within days, and Centron was told she has 30 days from the rendition of the order to seek review in the circuit court under the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure.

NCAS staff requested daily impound costs at $20 per day (stated as $720 through the hearing date), but Poole declined to impose the holding fees without evidence presented at the hearing documenting the exact costs.

The magistrate’s order classifying Bailey as a dangerous dog and directing humane euthanasia will be entered in writing; Centron was advised of her right to appeal and to comply with any statutory requirements if she seeks to regain custody of a dog in another case. The case number for the hearing is Dangerous Dog Case No. 2025‑6175.