Wallingford Selectboard orders leash, muzzle and signage after Aug. 1 Jack Russell bite

The Town of Wallingford Selectboard on Aug. 17 ordered safety restrictions for a Jack Russell terrier after Animal Control reported an Aug. 1, 2026 bite incident. By consensus the board required the dog be kept on a leash and fitted with a muzzle any time it is outside 6129 Route 140E in East Wallingford, whether on or off the property, and ordered a prominent "Beware of Dog" sign at the residence. The owner, Nichole Chapman, was given seven days to comply with the leash and muzzle requirements and 14 days to post the sign.

Animal Control Officer Joseph Elwell presented photographs and a written report to the hearing and told the board municipal tickets totaling $150 had been issued to Chapman for failure to register and to vaccinate the dog. Elwell also said the dog's last rabies vaccination had expired earlier in 2026 and that the bite victim, Trevor Leonard, had provided a written description of the incident that was included in Elwell’s report. Selectboard member Glenn Mayer asked whether Elwell had met the dog; Elwell said he had not.

The minutes record the board's formal order: "the Jack Russell terrier should be restrained on a leash anytime it is outside of the 6129 Route 140E, East Wallingford home on or off the premises; the dog should be fitted with a muzzle anytime it is outside the 6129 Route 140E, East Wallingford home on or off the premises, a Beware of Dog sign should be prominently displayed in front of the 6129 Route 140E, East Wallingford home." The hearing was called to order by Selectboard Chair Kathy Luzader at 5:00 p.m.; proceedings were closed at 5:19 p.m., the board held a brief deliberative session, and adjourned at 5:30 p.m.