Lynn Court overturns Marblehead dog ruling

MARBLEHEAD-Lynn District Court Clerk Magistrate Daniel Day has overturned the Selectmen?s Jan. 31 death sentence for a German Shepherd as long as the dog stays out of Marblehead.Selectmen voted unanimously Jan. 28 to have Dr. Anthony Schepsis? dog Jessie put down for attacking Carol Bouchat as she walked her pug on a local hillside near Naugus Avenue. The attack happened Jan. 8.Schepsis? lawyer Jeremy Cohen successfully argued that selectmen no longer had jurisdiction over Jessie or his owner when they served Dr. Schepsis on Jan. 27, held the hearing Jan. 28 and issued the order to put the dog down on Jan. 31.?Prior to those dates Dr. Schepsis transferred ownership of the dog to a new owner in New York,” Cohen said Tuesday. “He notified the police chief Jan. 25 and gave the chief the new owner?s name and address.”?This way everybody wins,” Cohen said. “Jessie can go be a dog and live with other dogs. Marblehead is safe and he complies with all the orders.”Assistant Town Counsel Lisa Mead represented the town at the hearing and the person who was bitten, Carol Bouchat, testified as well.Mead and Bouchat could not be reached for comment Tuesday.?We don?t dispute any of Jessie?s record or her (Bouchat?s) testimony,” Attorney Cohen said. He noted that the town decided not to exercise its right to appeal the finding to a judge, with the understanding that if Jessie ever returns to Marblehead the order to put him down will be carried out. Cohen also provided the town with contact information on the dog?s new owners so his new community can be informed of his record in Marblehead.In a prepared statement Dr. Schepsis said, “I have been a physician for 26 years n treating injuries and trying my best to make people well. Given my commitment to health and well-being, I am sickened that this incident occurred which caused injury to another human being. I wish Ms. Bouchat well in her recovery.”?After this incident, I took all necessary measures to find the right home for Jesse. I found caring people who are familiar with Jesse and are responsible and experienced dog owners in a rural location. Jesse now lives on a large property surrounded by an electronic fence. Additionally, Jesse has begun professional training so that he might become better socialized among other dogs. Though I will miss him, I know this is best for him, and I hope that it will ease the concerns of the residents of Marblehead.”