The Springfield City Animal Control Board on Dec. 18 reviewed six agenda items that included multiple dangerous‑dog hearings and designated at least one animal as dangerous while imposing containment and safety conditions.

The board ruled that a dog known as "Whiteboy" was dangerous because the animal had been frequently loose and exhibited a high prey drive, and ordered conditions intended to reduce future risk: installation of a secure panel (fencing), microchipping, spay/neuter, muzzling when off the owner’s property and an effort to obtain $100,000 in liability insurance. Staff told the board owners have a 21‑day window to appeal enforcement decisions.

Why this matters: board members and witnesses described a multi‑year pattern of complaints — impounds and calls stretching back to 2022 and into 2025 — that, according to staff summaries, included attacks on smaller animals and multiple sightings of dogs running at large. Board action places formal requirements on owners and starts an administrative clock during which affected residents may seek judicial review.

Board and staff accounts detailed prior incidents and evidence. A witness, Michelle Hudson, described seeing two huskies roaming on Saint James and later learning a cat had been killed, saying she followed the dogs briefly and later wanted "justice" for the injured animal. Hudson told the board she and others had observed the animals roaming on multiple occasions, and staff recited impound and complaint records across several dates.

Owners and representatives contested some identifications and questioned whether similar‑looking huskies could have been mistaken for the animals in earlier reports. One resident told the board there are several huskies in the neighborhood that look identical to her dogs and said she would appeal an adverse finding. Staff acknowledged notice‑delivery issues in at least one case and said the board might rehear a matter if mailed notice failed to reach an owner’s delivery location.

For other items on the agenda, the board recorded that a dangerous‑dog hearing for two dogs named Orion and Ace (owner: Shavon Diaz) was on the docket and that only one mailed notice had been delivered, which raised procedural questions about whether the hearing record was legally sufficient. The board also reviewed a compliance case for a dog named Emery (owner: Amanda Lee Camacho at 1859 Roosevelt Avenue) and applied the same standard conditions after staff reported prior notices and records.

Board members emphasized enforcement limits: while the board can impose conditions and order impoundment, physical enforcement without owner cooperation can require additional legal steps. Staff reiterated the standard set of conditions they typically require for dogs designated dangerous: secure containment, sterilization when required, microchipping, muzzling off the property and liability insurance; a staff member identified the insurance threshold discussed as $100,000.

Votes at a glance
- Approval of minutes from Oct. 16, 2025 — approved (recorded affirmations).
- Designation: Dog known as "Whiteboy" — designated dangerous; conditions ordered (secure panel, microchip, spay/neuter, muzzling off‑property, attempt to obtain $100,000 liability insurance). Outcome: approved. (Board discussion and order recorded in hearing.)
- Compliance: Dog "Emery" (owner Amanda Lee Camacho) — board applied same conditions and discussed fees; outcome: conditions applied/assent recorded.

What’s next: Staff said written notices and forms will be sent by the city clerk’s office; the board noted owners may appeal within the administrative window. In at least one case staff flagged potentially defective mailed notice and said the board would confirm whether a rehearing was required.

Quotes
"I witnessed two huskies outside walking by... I just said, let's just continue on our way... and by the next morning we got the phone call that Willow has been hurt," said Michelle Hudson, describing a prior animal injury and urging the board to act.

"You were ordered to install a secure panel... maybe chipped, spayed and neutered, muzzled... and you would have to try to attempt to get 100,000 liability insurance," a staff member told an owner during the ruling on the Whiteboy matter.

The board closed its session at 10:43 a.m.; staff will issue formal written notices and provide instructions about the appeal process.