Dog that inflicted serious injuries deemed vicious

Anne Mowell bent to kiss her son’s dog, but rather than a kiss, she sustained serious facial injuries when the dog bit her.

Because of the Oct. 10 incident inside Mowell’s South A Street home, Richmond’s Board of Public Works and Safety was charged March 19 with deciding whether the dog’s reaction was vicious or, as claimed by its owner, Andrew Mowell, a reaction to being startled while sleeping.

The board did not find provocation and unanimously ruled the dog vicious, citing the severity of Anne Mowell’s injuries and another incident in Hawaii when the dog nipped at someone getting near its face. The ruling triggers requirements such as a pen, fencing, a 4-foot leash, a muzzling device, vicious dog signage, a special yellow collar and insurance in case of a future attack. The board also recommended the dog be evaluated by a vet or trainer.

Andrew Mowell, who now lives alone with the dog in his mother’s home, has seven days to comply, and the board will consider his compliance during its March 26 meeting. At that time, the board could opt to order euthanizing the dog.

“Please let this dog live,” Mowell said.

Mowell rescued the dog in Hawaii before moving to his mother’s home two years ago. He was driving to Virginia, he said, when his mother was injured.

Desiree Durbin, Richmond Police Department’s animal control officer, said the vicious dog hearing was appropriate because of the severity of Anne Mowell’s injuries. Anne Mowell, who now lives with another son in Cincinnati, was hospitalized for two days, has undergone surgeries and needs physical therapy.

Andrew Mowell said his mother is healing and the family is moving forward. During the bite, the dog heard Anne Mowell’s voice, released her and hid in a corner, he said.

“While what happened was vicious, he is not a vicious dog,” Andrew Mowell said. “What happened was horrible, but it was an action in defense, not unprovoked aggression.”

Other actions

• The board approved placement of a projecting sign for the 6Main apartments along East Main Street. The sign received three variances from the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals.
• Countryside Auto on Union Pike received the city’s two-year contract for vehicle impound and storage after bidding $21,600 annually.
• Contracts were awarded to Wallace Heating and Air, Overhead Door Company and D&D Janitorial Service for services provided to the city’s street department.
• Midwest Signal and Railroad Services received a two-year contract for $9,600 annually to inspect and repair railroad crossings.
• Oracle Elevator Holdco Inc. is contracted for four years at $900 a month to maintain elevators in the Richmond Municipal Building, parking garage and sanitary department buildings.