Hines council orders abatement of nuisance dogs after repeated attacks

The Hines Common Council voted March 10 to begin abatement of three unregistered dogs owned by Jesse Abel at 205 N. Hilltop, citing repeated safety incidents and unpaid fines.

Officer Mason Radinovich told the Council the animals have been an ongoing problem for more than a year, roaming the neighborhood, chasing people and entering homes. “At the beginning of March, they killed a neighbor's chickens. They broke the door off the chicken coop and killed all five of their chickens,” Radinovich said, adding the property owner captured video on a Ring camera. Radinovich said the owner has about $2,000 in unpaid fines at Justice Court and has failed to appear on citations related to the animals.

Under City Ordinance 9.52-200, the Council may declare a public nuisance and authorize abatement. Radinovich described the abatement process and said historically aggressive dogs have sometimes been voluntarily surrendered; otherwise the animals would be taken to a shelter if the City removes them.

Councilor Hilda Allison moved to begin abatement “with regard to Jesse Abel's dogs,” and Councilor Dean Brizendine seconded. The motion passed with five ayes, zero nays and one abstention.

City Administrator Roxane Worley noted the City can record expenses and assess administrative costs and pursue liens to recoup fines. Council members emphasized the emotional and safety impact on neighbors, with one councilor noting residents had begun carrying bear spray because of fear of the animals.

The Council’s action authorizes the statutory abatement steps; implementation details (timing, removal, shelter placement or surrender) were not specified in the meeting record. No response from Jesse Abel is recorded in the transcript.

Next steps: staff will proceed with the abatement process under the ordinance and document City expenses for possible recovery.