Marshfield orders vicious dog euthanized, but he's on the lam

October 15, 2008 02:31 PM Email| Comments (0)| Text size – +

By Christine Legere, Globe Correspondent

MARSHFIELD -- Selectmen have unanimously voted to order a male pit bull terrier put down because of his vicious behavior, but first they must find him.

At a meeting Tuesday night, the dog's owner Louis Carpenito was given 11 days to provide selectmen with proof he had complied with their order and euthanize Rocky. Rocky has bitten four people and one dog over the past five years.

Among Rocky's victims was a municipal employee, who was bitten on the hand in the Marshfield Town Hall parking lot. The employee, Diane D’Allessandro, said function in that hand is currently a 2 on a 10 scale, according to Town Manager Rocco Longo.

In 2005, selectmen ordered the dog banished from town. Ongoing appeals, however, have allowed Rocky to remain at the Hillcrest Road property.

Carpenito told selectmen the dog actually belongs to his grown son and has been removed from his property, but it's unclear where Rocky is now.

Krystal Clifford, the fiancé of Carpenito’s son said at Tuesday night’s hearing that Louis had not been told where the dog was being kept. Clifford did not offer the information to the selectmen either, nor did she provide her address on a sign-in sheet put out for the hearing.

“Right now we’re having town counsel go over the written order that will be sent to Carpenito,” Longo said.

If the 11 days pass without compliance, selectmen will consider their options. Carpenito can also appeal the selectmen’s ruling, which he has successfully done in the past.