Selectmen's orders solve complaints about dogs
By Ken Powers Contributing Writer

Northborough - Residents involved in two public hearings this year regarding dog nuisances in town have made or are making the Board of Selectmen mandated improvements and no further complaints have been reported, according to Northborough Dog Officer Claudia McGuire.

A Jan. 22 complaint was brought before the board about a pair of Great Pyrenees dogs owned by Christian Potter of 255 West St. The complaint was filed because of barking by the dogs during the day and night and the negative impact it had on the neighbors' quality of life.

In addition, the dogs, on several occasions, ran loose and wandered into the yards of neighbors, including several who said the dogs intimidated them.

The board voted unanimously that the dogs must wear "no bark" collars" or that a "no bark" device be installed and in operation whenever the dogs are outside. Also, when the dogs go outside between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., an adult must accompany them.

The board also voted unanimously that Potter had to install fencing strong and high enough to contain the dogs or construct a chain-link dog pen.

In a follow-up report to the board, McGuire said the male dog had been euthanized Feb. 5. The Potter property is currently for sale, she said, and she has had no complaints about the dogs since the public hearing.

At its Jan. 22 meeting, the board also heard a complaint about a golden retriever and a wolfhound mix owned by Marie McGuirk of 80 Crestwood Road.

McGuire said neighbors complained that the dogs often run loose and tear through trash, despite an electric fence around most of the yard.

The board voted that McGuirk must secure her yard with a chain link or stockade fence six feet high and constructed to enclose part of the rear yard and include the back door, which should be the only one used to let the dogs out of the house.

McGuire said a white vinyl six-foot high fence, clearly visible from the front of the property, has been installed and that it extends to the property lines on each side of the house. The vinyl fence is attached to a chain link fence, which encloses the remaining portion of the yard. McGuire said there have been no complaints since the hearing.