A dog deemed vicious by Richmond’s Board of Public Works and Safety has been ordered to be euthanized.
The board determined the dog owned by Brandon Wood of the 1900 block of Valley Drive was vicious during its Nov. 7 meeting. Then, on Nov. 14, the board voted 3-0 that the dog should be euthanized for the neighborhood’s safety.
After the dog was ruled vicious, Wood implemented required protections when the dog is outside, such as muzzling the dog and having an adult holding the dog on a 4-foot leash. He said those city requirements prevent the dog from posing a threat.
“There’s just absolutely no chance that this could happen again,” Wood said.
On Sept. 14, the dog jumped a fence and attacked a woman walking her daughter’s dog. That dog received serious injuries and died. Wood’s dog had previously jumped the fence and attacked or pursued other dogs, according to testimony.
Board member Dustin Purvis said his preference would be for the dog to be rehomed and rehabilitated; however, that is beyond the board’s scope of action. Purvis said the board must consider the safety of the neighborhood and children playing outside.
Board member Jamie Lopeman said hearings about dogs are the worst part of board service. He agreed with Purvis that the board must consider neighborhood safety most.
Wood told the board that the dog does not pose a threat to humans, especially when he complies with the city’s vicious dog requirements. Wood also said he was terribly sorry about the attack.
“I don’t think he needs to be put down for it,” Wood said. “It’s just a terrible, terrible incident.”
Wood has 20 days to appeal the board’s decision through the Wayne County court system.
Branding process
Richmond has chosen the company to help it update the city’s brand.
Guide Studio of Cleveland, Ohio, was awarded the contract for $43,050 by a 3-0 board vote. Nine bidders responded to the city’s July request for proposals, and Beth Fields, the city’s director of strategic initiatives, said proposals were scored and companies interviewed before the city made a decision.
Guide Studio is expected to work with the community to develop new branding designs, taglines, city brand colors and variations for department-specific branding that will be used on the city’s website and other communication pieces.
During its Nov. 7 meeting, the board opened proposals from Planning Next and HWC Engineering to refresh the city’s comprehensive plan. Those proposals were taken under advisement.
Search warrants
Richmond Police Department received board permission to purchase 15 licenses for software that helps its investigators write search warrants.
Chief Kyle Weatherly said the software is preloaded with language required by the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, cutting time needed to write warrants from hours to minutes.
Cost of the licenses is not to exceed $3,750.
A version of this article appeared in the November 20 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.