Gaylord council declines to classify small dog as potentially dangerous after appeal

The Gaylord City Council declined to sustain a potentially dangerous-animal designation for a small dog after hearing testimony during an appeal.

Police presented an October incident in which a 10-year-old boy was bitten on the thigh after two dogs got loose from a residence. The larger dog already had been designated “potentially dangerous;” the council considered whether the smaller dog should be added to that classification. Police said the smaller-dog allegation relied primarily on the 10-year-old’s account and that no camera footage or other corroborating evidence was available.

The dog owners—identified in the hearing as Tracy and Jesus Solomons—told the council they were not at home when the incident occurred, that no video surveillance was available, and that their small dog (described as a 6–8-pound poodle/pomeranian mix) was an “ankle biter” and not aggressive. Tracy Solomons said the family’s children play with the neighbor’s children and that she had no prior issues with the dog in three years of ownership.

Council members expressed sympathy for the injured child but said the evidence for the smaller dog’s dangerous behavior was insufficient. The city attorney explained the council must decide based on a preponderance of the evidence standard (more likely than not). A motion not to sustain the designation for the smaller dog was made by Councilmember Rose, seconded, and approved by voice vote.

Council members urged the dog owners to keep animals secured to prevent future incidents and noted the larger dog’s designation remains in effect.