Source: https://www.nylawattorney.com/attorney-cases/cases/dangerous-dog-proceedings/
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 12:51:29+00:00

Document:
On August 20, 2012 the petitioner Robert Favuzzi filed a dangerous dog complaint (Agriculture and Markets Law §123(1)) alleging that a white and brown brindle pitbull terrier dog, allegedly owned by the respondents James Foster and Dianne Foster, attacked and caused physical injury to the petitioner on August 15, 2012. The court scheduled a hearing on the complaint for August 24, 2012 pursuant to Agriculture and Markets Law §123(2). On the hearing date the petitioner appeared with counsel, the named respondents did not appear. However, Ralph Foster, the father of the respondent James Foster, did appear at the hearing. Mr. Foster testified that his adult son James Foster is the owner of the white and brown brindle pitbull terrier dog. Mr. Foster asserted that the respondent Dianne Foster is not a co-owner of the dog, but acknowledged she is the grandmother of respondent James Foster. The complaint is therefore dismissed as against the respondent Dianne Foster. Ralph foster did confirm that the dog is a male, approximately six (6) years old, white and brown brindle pitbull terrier, names “Esco”. The pitbull terrier dog is not currently licensed by the Town of Babylon as required by Babylon Town Code §106-7(A). The following findings of the court are based upon the credible testimony and evidence presented at the hearing.
On August 15, 2012 the petitioner was visiting a friend who owned the premises located at 847 Beach Street, Lindenhurst, N.Y. The petitioner was at the rear of his parked motor vehicle when the pitbull terrier dog Esco broke free of restraint and escaped from the property of Ralph Foster located at 837 Beach Street. The pitbull terrier immediately ran towards and attacked the petitioner. The dog, unprovoked, jumped on the petitioner, knocking him to the ground, caused lacerations and multiple puncture wounds to the petitioner’s hand, forearm and thumb and fractures to his fingers. The petitioner’s witness, who was present at the time of the attack, substantiated the petitioner’s version of the events and further testified that the respondent James Foster took no action despite his presence at the time of the attack. The petitioner received medical attention for his injuries at Good Samaritan Hospital. No medical bills were introduced into evidence (see Agriculture and Markets Law §123(10)).
It is the opinion of the court that the petitioner has sustained his burden of proof by clear and convincing evidence demonstrating that the white and brown brindle pitbull terrier dog, named Esco, unjustifiedly attacked and caused physical injury to the petitioner (Agriculture and Markets Law §108(24)(a)(i)). Based upon the proof presented the court finds the white and brown brindle pitbull terrier dog, names Esco, to be a dangerous dog as such term is defined by Agriculture and Markets Law §108 (24)(a)(i) and §123(2). There was no testimony or proof that the white and brown brindle pitbull terrier dog has been previously declared a dangerous dog. Although there was testimony referencing two prior attacks by the pitbull terrier, there was no clear and convincing proof establishing that the dog had a known vicious propensity. In this regard a vicious propensity is evidenced by a previous unjustified attack on a person which caused serious physical injury or death (Agriculture and Markets Law §123(3)(b)). There was no proof to establish that the referenced prior attacks were unjustified and caused serious physical injury. Thus, the court finds no aggravating circumstances were established at the hearing.
ORDERED that in the event the respondent James foster fails to timely comply as required by this order, then the court hereby directs that any dog control officer or peace officer shall either seize or destroy, if necessary, the white and brown brindle pitbull terrier dog, names Esco, on or off the premises at 837 Beach Street, Lindenhurst, N.Y. without further order of the court.
The clerk of the court shall transmit a copy of this order to the Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets, the Town Clerk for the Town of Babylon and the Town of Babylon Animal Shelter.

References: §123
 §123
 §106
 §123
 §108
 §108
 §123
 §123