The Town of Nags Head’s Dangerous Animal Appeal Board affirmed a decision Thursday made by Nags Head Police Chief Phil Webster regarding two dogs he determined to be dangerous after they repeatedly bit former Nags Head Mayor Bob Edwards and his wife Anita.
Bob and Anita Edwards, 82 and 83, were visiting the home of Jack Pasternak in the 2400 block of South Memorial Avenue on May 7 when Pasternak’s two 20-month female mix-breed pit bull dogs began biting both Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, the town said in a news release.
Despite numerous attempts to restrain the dogs and leave the scene, both Mr. and Mrs. Edwards were bitten repeatedly, with Mr. Edwards requiring treatment for lacerations and punctures to his face, head, both arms, and legs at an urgent care center. Although bitten as well, Mrs. Edwards did not seek medical treatment.
The Nags Head Police Department investigated the incident and determined that Mr. Edwards had suffered serious injuries. In addition, investigators learned that in August 2019, the dogs had acted viciously towards a neighbor when they escaped Pasternak’s property, the release said.
After the investigation, Chief Webster determined that both dogs were dangerous or potentially dangerous animals, according to Nags Head Code of Ordinances Article V. – Dangerous Animals, Sec. 6-121 and North Carolina General Statute 67-4.1. Dangerous and potentially dangerous animals. As a result, the dogs were seized by the police department and secured at the Dare County Animal Shelter.
Pasternak appealed Chief Webster’s ruling with the Town’s Dangerous Animal Appeal Board, which provides the opportunity for dog owners to appeal declarations by Nags Head’s Police Chief that a dog is “dangerous” or “potentially dangerous” under North Carolina North Carolina General Statute 67-4.1. The Appeal Board members participating in Thursday’s hearing were Nags Head Town Manager Cliff Ogburn and Nags Head residents Jeff Ackerman and Marvin Demers.
Now that the Appeal Board has affirmed Chief Webster’s declaration that the dogs are dangerous, Pasternak has 10 days to file an appeal with the clerk of the Dare County Superior Court, which will be June 1, and, according to Nags Head’s Code of Ordinances, Pasternak must also file an appeal with Nags Head’s town clerk by the same date.
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