Safire Stenerson is appealing her American Staffordshire terrier cross Misty’s classification of menacing.
The city council issued Miss Stenerson the classification notice on May 25 after Misty allegedly attacked a neighbour, biting her four times.
The complainant described a gap in the fence allowed the dog to access their back yard and attack her.
Her partner also complained that on the same day the dog bit his boot and only let go when he punched her.
The classification would require Misty to wear a muzzle and be on a leash while in public and be neutered.
But Miss Stenerson claims the council has the wrong dog and Misty was ‘‘the friendliest dog out’’.
‘‘I hereby 100% object to the fact that my 8-year-old family dog has apparently magically walked through a fence and attacked an unknown person causing injury,’’ Miss Stenerson said in an email to the council.
‘‘This is seeming more like a blame of the breed than trying to do the right thing and trying to find the correct dog who actually committed the offence.’’
A later description by the complainants better matched Misty’s appearance and after visiting the site and seeing the dog, council animal control officers were satisfied Misty was the dog in question.
Miss Stenerson said the initial description sounded more like her neighbour’s dog.
‘‘Misty is NOT a menace dog at all, and the only menace seems to be the liars at the DCC,’’ she said in the same email.
‘‘The colour of my dog only changed after [an animal control officer] sited my dog (sic). Which seems like a bit of a coincidence.’’
An animal control officer also reported being bitten by Misty during a visit to Miss Stenerson’s home.
The appeal will be heard tomorrow.
Council staff recommended the committee upholds the decision to classify Misty as menacing.
