Swampscott Schedules First-Ever 'Dangerous Dog' Hearing

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Swampscott officials have scheduled what is believed to be the first dangerous dog hearing in the town's history for Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. at Swampscott High School. The hearing will center on three dogs owned by Glenn and Irene Schwartz of Puritan Lane. The dogs are accused of attacking two dogs in separate incidents in November and December as their owners walked by the Schwartz's home.

In a statement to the selectmen, resident Angela O'Brien said her dog was attacked by three pit bulls as she and a friend walked on Puritan Lane on Nov. 13. O'Brien said it took the owners five minutes to come out after they started screaming for help, and another five minutes to separate the dogs.

Then on December 24, another resident Alice Goldsmith called 911 when two pit bulls attacked her dog as she walked on Puritan Lane. Both women recounted their stories to selectmen during the board's Jan. 8 meeting. "We think other residents and neighbors deserve to know that this threat exists," O'Brien said, adding she no longer walks on Puritan Lane.

An attorney for the Schwartzs told the Swampscott Reporter that the couple had paid $900 in vet bills for the injuries the two dogs sustained and that one of the dogs, Luci, had been removed from the home for a 12-day evaluation by animal specialists. The couple installed a reinforced multi-locking fence with a dig-proof base and had their property inspected by Swampscott Animal Control.

Swampscott Public Health Director Jeff Vaughn told selectmen Swampscott Animal Control Officer Diane Treadwell found the family to be loving dog owners and not neglectful during a well-being check on the dogs.

Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald told selectmen Swampscott has never had a dangerous dog hearing, prompting selectmen to have town counsel review the town's animal control bylaws. Under state law, towns can order dogs restrained or even euthanized after reported attacks. The hearing scheduled for next week follows an investigation by Swampscott police into the complaints.