WPD Panel Declares Pitbull That Killed Smaller Dog Jan. 3 ‘Vicious’

Warwick, RI — A year-old blue-nose Pitbull, ‘Booker,” impounded at the Warwick Animal Shelter pending a vicious dog hearing after it bit and killed a Papillion,“Stewie,” has been ruled a vicious dog by the Warwick Police during a vicious dog hearing this morning.

WPD Maj. Christine Kelley said vicious dog hearings are held by a three-member panel, including WPD Sgt. Charles Boisseau and Joe Warzycha, Humane Officer and Investigator at the RI SPCA. The two appoint the third member of the panel.

This morning, the panel determined that, due to the Jan. 3, attack where “Booker,” while unleashed, bit Stewie, while he was being walked on a leash by his owner at the Willow Glen Condominiums, that Booker is should be classified as a vicious dog.

As a result, Booker’s owner, David Rothermel of Warwick, must follow the following guidelines:

• Obtain $100,000 minimum insurance
• Tattoo or microchip the dog
• Post a warning sign
• Notify the police if the dog is loose
• Use a leash and muzzle on the dog if off owner’s property
• Use a leash or enclosed area if the dog is outside on owner’s property
• If owner moves, both cities/towns be notified of move
• The owner cannot give away or sell dog

The panel voted against a six sided enclosure by a 2-1 vote.

Rothermel has thirty (30) days to comply with the panel’s requirements.

Rothermel was also issued a Municipal Court violation for two counts of violation of Sec. 4-8 “Restraint of Dogs Required at All Times for allowing his two dogs to run at large. The violation carries a $30 fine.