Nantucket board bans coonhound from island
Neighbors and police on Nantucket testified that Lester, a bluetick coonhound, had bitten four people since 2005.
Nantucket Board of Selectmen has voted Lester, an 11-year-old bluetick coonhound, off the island.
The five members banned the hound at a rare vicious-dog hearing, where neighbors and police testified that he had bitten four people since 2005 and howled incessantly.
Unbelievable, the dogs owner, Murat Aslansan of Philadelphia, said yesterday when a reporter informed him of his pets exile Hes a real nice dog, real sweet. Hes the only one that gets along with our new kitten. But hes extremely protective, extremely territorial.
But others on Nantucket dont recall Lester so fondly. Marsha Fader, whose yard abuts the 80-pound hounds territory, said the dog bit her friend in the leg last summer, drawing blood.
Anytime I go into the backyard I need to carry something, like a weapon, to protect myself in my own backyard, said Fader, 59, who testified at the hearing Wednesday. Its pretty bad, pretty scary, because you dont know. At any moment this dog could jump out.
Lester, now in Philadelphia with his owners, is barred from returning to the island.
My understanding is that the board has the authority to have the dog destroyed, said the chairman, Michael Kopko, who owns a 2-year-old golden retriever. But thats not the authority Id ever want to exercise. I love dogs.
The more likely scenario if Lester returns is that authorities would put him on the next boat off the island, Kopko said.
Aslansan, a summer island resident, insists that his dog is not dangerous and has only nipped at people twice, including the buttocks of a passerby a few weeks ago. That incident prompted a disgruntled neighbor to file the vicious-dog petition, he said.
The whole thing got instigated by a guy who lives on the corner, Aslansan, 39, a property developer, said in a telephone interview. Hes been upset about the howling ever since we started showing up.
Frances Elder said her son and his wife, Gregory and Carol Elder, collected signatures for the petition after years of problems with the dog.
Our home is directly in front of the property, said Frances, 91. He goes back and forth, back and forth. . . . Hes ready to go hunt.
Her family, which includes several children, barely uses the backyard because of the pacing dog, Elder said.
Its kind of like being held hostage, said their neighbor, Fader.
Aslansan said an electronic fence borders his yard and usually keeps Lester in. Fader disagreed, saying Lester accosts the boy who mows her lawn.
Gina Lyn Hayes, a 25-year dog trainer on Cape Cod and a former K-9 police officer, said Lesters breed has a tendency to be dangerous if not trained properly.
Hounds are possessive aggressive - its mine, no one else can have it, touch it, look at it, she said. Its certainly not the first one Ive heard of thats aggressive.
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Bob the silly coonhoundby Ittyturp3,180 views
why would you take a hunting dogs voice away. i dont understand why she had a hunting dog in the first place if she wasnt hunting it.. i might have to take a trip up there with my dog one day and let it tree just to show them idots that its that good ol mountain music.. i got one thing to say.. DUMB FUCKING CUNT.
10cbobby 1 month ago
Ok...my first question is this is a bluetick COONhound, why is he penned up in someones yard? It's in this dogs blood to hunt coons. Second...how on earth could someone be cruel enough to remove his vocal cords?? The bawl that comes out of these types of dogs mouth when they tree is the best sound on earth...I'd gladly rescue this dog from those nut cases!
9kit4kat9 1 month ago
One bawl out of my Blue makes my autoharp play onit's own. He makes the walls vibrate, he is pushy, bossy and stubborn, but I have never had a dog that I loved more than my big goofball!
readmerrilee 3 months ago
Take a coonhound's voice from him? These people don't deserve to be blessed with a coonhound!
readmerrilee 3 months ago 2
this is ludicrous. Coonhounds are among the most gentle dog I've ever known. I would not hesitate to leave my coonhound unattended with children that they know. the only coonhounds I have had that have ever had a problem biting are the that had been viciously abused.
ynotlayabout 5 months ago 2
I like this dog far more than most of you people! Dawgz rule, you folks just suck! I think an ant farm is more your speed! Now go get your shine box!
dpoland 6 months ago
Nantucket Island just got placed on the most retarded places to live list!
bubisrael 6 months ago
Really? It's a coonhound. They bark. Thier bark is their most recognizable trait. If you didn't want a dog that barks, why did you get a coonhound? Actually, why'd you even get a dog? Get a cat if you think barking is a nuisance. A coonhound's bay is one of the most beautiful in the world and you should be ashamed of yourself for trying to silence it. What'd you think the dog was gonna do whan it found out it couldn't communicate anymore? Sign language?? I would probably bite someone too!
CisforCory 8 months ago
that is bullcrap. a bawling bluetick's singing is the most beautiful sound in the world.. people are just stupid and disgusting.
SisterSunshineTV 9 months ago
thats a damn shame, dog got punished for doin wut it was trained to do, bitch ought to have her vocal chords ripped out and then neutered with a chainsaw. and if you cut out my vocal chords, id bite people too.
iamfatboy1andonly 10 months ago 2