Marblehead shepherd ordered euthanized

MARBLEHEAD – Selectmen have ordered a local dog owner to put down the German Shepherd that attacked a Marblehead woman without provocation on Jan. 8.In a special meeting Monday evening, board members voted unanimously to have Jessie, a dog belonging to Dr. Anthony Schepsis, put to death for attacking Carol Bouchat as she walked her pug on a local hillside near Naugus Avenue.Selectmen exhibited mixed emotions at the meeting, expressing feelings for the victims and the dogs as well.The death sentence is to be carried out in 10 days but Schepsis’ lawyer, Jeremy Cohen, told the board that Schepsis is in the process of moving and has moved the dog to upstate New York. Cohen said the dog, which was involved in another attack seven years ago, will receive special training. Board members gave him 24 hours to produce written confirmation of the dog’s location and warned him that Schepsis could be subject to a fine for not carrying out their order.In another dog incident from Jan. 6, selectmen will consult an animal trainer before taking action against Geeno, a German Shepherd owned by Kenneth Harvey, who bit the hand of Janet Moore as he attempted to attack her small dog.Harvey’s lawyer, David Smith, said Harvey and Geeno are scheduled to leave town this spring. At the suggestion of a spectator, selectmen allowed Geeno to be sent to Bay State Kennels in Middleton for an evaluation.A second dog was involved in that incident, Lauren McKenney’s German Shepherd, Preston. McKenney was warned about keeping her dog on a leash.