- April 17, 2024
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Two months after Channelle, a pit bull terrier, allegedly attacked a 75-year-old man, the dog remains at the Flagler Humane Society because the city of Palm Coast has not yet made a determination as to whether the dog is officially “dangerous.” That’s a long time without much communication with the city, according to Amy Carotenuto, executive director at the Humane Society, and she wishes there was a better working relationship between the two.
The city contracts with the Humane Society to shelter animals, but this is not the first time the Humane Society has been left keeping a dog for a long period of time: Another dog, Muneco, was determined dangerous by the city after biting a woman in December — and that dog is also still at the Humane Society after a complicated appeal process. The owners are now waiting for their case to be heard in court.
In an email, Communications and Marketing Manager Cindi Lane said the length of investigations varies, but it’s not unusual for it to take a couple of months depending on the receipt of medical records and affidavits. Barbara Grossman, who supervises the city animal control, was not available for comment.
In the case involving Channelle, Carotenuto said it took two months to get documents from the city; and even then, the Humane Society had to pay for the request — even though the shelter has a contract to work with the city.
“As a contracting agency, I wish we could just work together."
AMY CAROTENUTO, executive director Flagler Humane Society
“We have offered our play yard for them to come and do their own behavioral tests,” Carotenuto said. “I have also made appointments with Barbara Grossman, but no one has come out to see the dog since it arrived.”
The initial city report, filed by Animal Control Officer Eva Rodriguez, says the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office was called to Zaun Trail on April 5, in response to a dog attack. The report states the dog aggressively attacked a 75-year-old man on his morning walk and that the man fell and broke his wrist and detailed other injuries.
“I am investigating this case and may declare this dog ‘Channelle’ dangerous as this is not our first complaint of aggressive behavior at this address,” Rodriguez wrote in her report. “Also, a second offense citation will be issued for the dog running loose, as this is not the first time dog has been loose acting aggressively.”
Since the dog has been at the shelter, Carotenuto and her staff have put it through behavior stress tests and have seen no indication of aggressiveness on the part of the dog. Meanwhile, the Humane Society is faced with the prospect of letting Channelle sit in a cage indefinitely.
“As a contracting agency, I wish we could just work together,” Carotenuto said. “If the likelihood is the dog is going to be a danger, then we agree: The dog has to be euthanized. We need the information so that I am not putting my staff or the community in danger.”
