Otis Orchards Dog Is Deemed ‘Dangerous’

County commissioners have deemed a black female chow named “Opie” a dangerous dog.

The dog has repeatedly threatened other dogs and charged people in Otis Orchards.

No one was bitten, though - each time Opie was fended off by neighbors wielding a 2-by-4 or a stick.

Commissioners on Tuesday gave the owner, Jerry Irvine, two weeks to fence in and post warning signs around his property at 19500 E. Wellesley. Irvine must also buy $50,000 worth of liability insurance. And anytime Opie is outside the fence, she would have to be leashed and muzzled.

If the owner doesn’t meet those conditions, the dog will be destroyed.

“He says he wants his dog back,” animal control director Nancy Sattin said. “And we’re happy to do that once he meets the criteria.”

The whole thing started on Aug. 11. Cindy Paola heard the family dog barking, looked outside and saw the black Chow out there, too. Paola went out to rescue her mother’s dog, but Opie barred her fangs and tried to bite her, Paola told animal control officers. Paola said she chased the dog off with a 2-by-4.

Five days later, Opie was back - charging a neighbor, Laurinda Lashbrook, who also chased the dog away by swinging a piece of lumber. The woman said she feared Opie was going to kill the same small dog Paola defended.

This happened once more, and the county declared Opie “potentially dangerous.” Then, on Sept 7., Opie charged Lashbrook without warning. She fended Opie off with a stick.

Sattin said Opie snarls a little in her cage at the animal shelter, but isn’t as bad as some dogs she’s seen. Opie’s biggest problem is attacking other dogs, and that’s what usually leads to the Chow versus 2-by-4 showdowns.

Irvine has been ticketed four times for Opie’s shenanigans - each time for $76. Each time, he has failed to respond to District Court. As of Wednesday, court records show, Irvine still had not paid his fines.

Irvine also didn’t show up for a public hearing before county commissioners on Sept. 24.

“The owner didn’t show up to the hearing, so what could we do?” Commissioner John Roskelley said after Tuesday’s meeting.

Irvine’s property is large and rural, Sattin said - “almost a small farm.” But he lives across the street from a busy mobile home park.

Sattin said Opie’s owner is tough to get hold of. She thinks someone screens his calls. “I actually got through the other day,” she said, “and almost fell out of my chair.”

, DataTimes