(Photo from her publicly-viewable Facebook page)
VENTURA – A Ventura woman’s pit bull mastiff has now attacked three times this year, in violation of the county’s “dangerous dog ordinance”, but the dog avoided execution after a hearing today in front of the county board of health.
The Cerro Gordo county health department has been dealing with Stephanie Thiel of Ventura for several months this year. A health department spokesman tells NIT that her 80-90 lb. mixed-breed pit bull mastiff “Henry” bit a woman last may, on two different occasions, 5 days apart. The first “bite” caused a bruise to the victim, the second “bite” broke the victim’s skin. No report was made until the second incident. Her dog was then deemed “potentially dangerous” in June under the county’s dangerous dog ordinance after the sheriff’s department and the health department met with her. She was given stipulations which she was ordered to follow after these incidents, including show proof of vaccinations (which she has done), the dog must be microchipped, and the dog must be indoors or in a secure enclosure if outside.
The sheriff’s department delivered a third attack incident report to the health department after another alleged attack by Henry on October 30. The dog got loose from a chain in her unsecured yard (no fence) and came after a man; it was not supposed to be on a chain per orders given after the attacks in May.
Due to this incident, the health department deemed Henry a dangerous dog, and ordered euthanasia.
Thiel appealed the order, and her case was heard this afternoon by the health department. The board heard her appeal, and although the dog went after the man, its undescribed attack on him didn’t break his skin. The board ruled out euthanasia at this time.
However, in addition to earlier stipulations Thiel must follow in order to keep the dog in the county, the dog cannot go outside of her home in Ventura without a fenced in, enclosed area. She currently has no fence at her home, NIT was told. The dog must attend a dog obedience school approved by the board of health. If she takes the dog for a walk or elsewhere, the dog must be a on a 6-foot substantial leash while the leash is held by an adult capable of restraining the dog. At no time may the dog be left unattended even if muzzled, leashed or tied up off the premises. Also, Thiel must notifiy the U.S. Postal Service and utility companies that the dog is potentially dangerous, and must notify the female victim from last May that the dog is coming back to her home.
The health department spokesman says that if these stipulations are not “met to a T”, Thiel will likely find herself back in front of the board.
The county’s dangerous dog ordinance is not breed-specific. It only pertains to any dog that bites. Some changes to the ordinance are being considered at this time, NIT is told, and the county board of supervisors would have to approve those changes if they are brought forth.
a nice “fixed” hamburger pattie should do the trick
One bullet will solve the problem if I ever see that dog loose.. BOOM! Dog problem GONE! And obviously she’s a bonehead arrogant dumb bch. Fine the hell out of her. Maybe she’ll wake up and smell the coffee. Maybe….. but I doubt she will.
So much for public safety. The board of health did not live up to their responsibilities on this one. It should not have even considered this ladies pleas and instead been concerned with anyone that comes into contact with her and her mutt. If this dog has bitten at least 3 people it should be put down and this lady should not be allowed to own anymore animals The owner is not a good pet owner because putting in a fence and dog obedience training should have been done long before now for a vicious animal. Hopefully this board will have a good answer when this dog mauls a little kid and this stupid women claims the dog is not vicious.
It attacked two people that we know of; the first person attacked was injured twice on two different occasions, thus, two people and three attacks. Let’s hope a child is not this dog’s next victim.
If she doesn’t have the means to ensure people’s safety, such as fencing her yard, and isn’t strong enough to handle the dog, she shouldn’t have it. I’m not saying to put the dog down, but maybe she should find other placement for the dog.
lets wait til it maul’s a little kid and then really do something about it
Ban those scary dogs
So your saying since my dog doesn’t attack someone then I’m not his?? Complete bs, it’s all how a dog is raised- doesn’t matter the breed.
It’s not possible that her dog is more protective? I have handled many dogs and every dog has a different personality.
If her dog is more protective then she needs to take the proper steps to keep her dog and the people of the community safe which she has failed to do by not following guidelines.
Dogs are very protective. If a dog that big wanted to hurt someone it would do it. I would guess the dog was just protecting what he considers to be his.