Blandford Select Board Declares Two Dogs Dangerous After Herrick Road Attack

BLANDFORD — July 29, 2024 — Blandford Select Board unanimously declared two dogs dangerous following a July 3 attack that sent a neighbor's border collie through five emergency veterinary visits and two surgeries. Chair Jacqueline Coury and Member Ted Cousineau presided over the formal hearing under G.L. c.140, s.157, taking sworn testimony from the victims, the police chief, the animal control officer, and two additional Herrick Road neighbors who described a pattern of the dogs ranging loose in the neighborhood. The board ordered the dogs — Remy and Ruger, owned by a Mr. Frappier and a Ms. Thomas — confined behind a minimum six-foot, dig-proof fence and muzzled on a leash no longer than 3 feet whenever off the property. Owners cited fencing quotes of $6,000 to $9,000 and were required to present a signed contract at the board's August 12 meeting. A second violation could trigger court-ordered fines of up to $1,000 and 90 days in jail under state law.