- April 19, 2024
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Muneco (Photos by Jonathan Simmons)
Canine aggression expert James Crosby, a Certified Behavior Consultant, evaluates Muneco at the Flagler Humane Society.
A local family fighting to keep their dog from being euthanized after a bite has one more chance to save the dog's life.
Elen Puerta and her family have filed with the circuit court to appeal a city of Palm Coast animal control hearing officer's order that the family dog, Muneco, be euthanized.
Had the family not appealed within 10 days of the city's order, signed Feb. 6, the dog would have been put down at any time after Feb. 24. The family filed their appeal Feb. 15.
The bite occurred Dec. 29. A dog-sitter was walking Muneco when the victim asked to pet him. When she stopped petting him and turned to leave, Muneco bit her on the arm. The victim later wrote in a statement that she thought the dog had grabbed her arm to keep her from leaving, and that she believed the bite was "a freak accident."
Palm Coast animal control ordered the family to sign a form declaring the dog dangerous, which would have meant agreeing to restrictions on how he would be kept.
Instead, the family appealed the dangerous dog designation, seeking a formal animal control hearing. But when the the family lost the appeal at the animal control hearing, Muneco was ordered to be euthanized.
Muneco is being kept at the Flagler Humane Society pending the outcome of the case. Both the shelter and a canine aggression expert, James Crosby, have run series of tests on the dog to check for aggression. Neither has found evidence of aggression during those tests.
To see previous coverage, and video of Crosby's evaluation of Muneco, click HERE.
