Select Board receives update on 'Thor' nuisance-dog case; owner and trainer involvement requested

The Eastham Select Board received an update on the nuisance-dog case involving 'Thor' at its July 20 meeting. Emily, the town animal control officer, told the board Thor was neutered on July 9 and that there have been no subsequent reports of violations of the board's orders.

Emily said she has inspected the property at 80 Mill Road and approved the existing outdoor fencing and enclosed kennel. She recommended that a stipulation requiring Thor to wear a muzzle while in the yard be revisited, saying that "requiring a muzzle in a fenced in yard provides little additional public safety benefit" when the dog is securely contained; she also asked the board to consider any trainer recommendations before changing orders.

Owner Virginia Vora told the board she had provided the trainer's contact to Emily, described an initial in-home assessment by a trainer that included a three-hour evaluation, and reported the dog had been traumatized by earlier incidents. She said the trainer is working with Thor and the family's veterinarian has raised concerns about the dog's breathing after prior exposures.

Town counsel advised the board that making conditions less restrictive generally does not require another public hearing, though the board agreed to take Emily's recommendation under advisement and requested a written memo from the trainer documenting progress and recommendations. The board asked staff to ensure all parties receive notice before any future action on the stipulations.