Police Issue Restraint Order for Dog that Bit 5-Year-Old in Avon Business

An Avon resident and tailor now has to keep his dog muzzled and on a leash in public after she bit a 5-year-old and was quarantined for two weeks, police said Thursday.

Sail Park, owner of Mr. Park's Tailor at 16 Ensign Dr. in the Shops at Avon Green, often brought his Jindo dog Princess to the shop prior to the incident. A customer learned Nov. 8 after leaving the shop that the dog bit her daughter, though she didn't see it happen.

“The dog was lying underneath the table in the store and jumped out and nipped her right hand," Avon Police Lt. Kelly Walsh said. 

The mother called her daughter's pediatrician for advice but did not bring her in for treatment, Walsh said. The bite was minor.

After the girl's mother reported it to Avon-Canton Animal Control Officer Beverly LaPlume, LaPlume quarantined the dog from Nov. 9 until Thanksgiving. LaPlume said that she is required by state law to quarantine a dog that has bitten someone for 14 days after the bite occurs regardless of whether a dog has had a rabies vaccination or not.

During that period, the animal control officer monitors the "disposition" or behavior of the dog and any issues that may arise, LaPlume said. Quarantining a dog also prevents it from biting anyone else during the two weeks.

Princess is an 11-year-old Korean Jindo from Park's home country. The breed is known to be loyal to one master, LaPlume said. While she didn't note any issues with the dog while it was kept in the Avon Canine Shelter, LaPlume said that "she was fearful and didn't want us to touch her."

The dog has since been returned to Park.

"Beverly released the dog out of quarantine with a restraint order that says the dog has to be leashed at all times and muzzled when in public," Walsh said.

LaPlume said that Park and his wife expressed gratitude for the good care Animal Control took of Princess during the quarantine period.

"He was very nice," LaPlume said. "He cooperated fully with me."

No arrest or citations were made, Walsh said. Other than a roaming dog violation involving Princess reported in 2009, there have been no prior documented incidents with the dog in town, according to police department records.

The dog was not at the store when Avon Patch stopped by on Thursday. Park declined to comment.