Wayland City Council: 'Red,' the dog, can reside in the city limits

By STEPH TAHTINEN

Mt. Pleasant News

WAYLAND ? After a successful appeal to the Wayland City Council on Wednesday night, Melissa Renteria will be allowed to keep her dog, Red.

There had been a removal order against Red as he appeared to be part pit bull and there is a city ordinance against pit bulls. However, at the council?s request Renteria had him examined by a veterinarian, who determined that the dog is a mixed breed, but did not list pit bull as one of the breeds. Because the veterinarian?s report does not say there is pit bull in him and the dog has not attacked anyone, there is no reason to demand its removal.

?I see no reason why you can?t keep the dog as long as you follow our rules and keep him on a leash and so forth,? said Mayor Brad Roth.

Police Chief Ron Roth said in the past 2 weeks he hasn?t noticed anything wrong with the dog and he interacted with it out of curiosity and found it to be a very gentle dog.

?Last night she brought the dog over to the youth center,? said Chief Roth. ?One little girl actually had to back away from it because it was licking her to death. It was a very gentle dog. It was playing with the kids over there; it was interacting with the kids.?

Renteria and two of her neighbors who she brought as witnesses, Angel Olson and Derek Maruska, emphasized that Red is gentle and great with kids.

?I love the dog. It?s an awesome dog,? said Olson. ?With any dog, it depends on the owner and how they handle their dog ? It all depends on how the owner is and how they?re raised, just like children.?

Although Red has not caused any problems in the past, the council did show some concern over what could happen in the future.

?I?ve got three little kids that are always out, and what you?re kind of telling us seems to be always the story behind the dog that just mauled a kid ? That?s just why we?re concerned,? explained Josh Miller, council member.

Council member Melinda Ullery also expressed concern, as she has a grandson who has been attacked by dogs twice in the city, and although she isn?t against dogs, she is cautious.

?I get everyone?s concern, and I do watch out for the dog and I do watch for aggression just as a precaution. Know that the minute he tries anything, snaps at a kid or anything, he?s gone,? said Renteria.

Ullery stressed that if something does happen, liability falls on Renteria.

?If he does do something, then it comes back to you. You?re the responsible party,? said Ullery.

City Attorney Mike Vance suggested Renteria look into getting liability insurance in case something should happen.