A Village of Pinellas resident was found to be in violation of deed compliance after erecting a fence to protect his small dog.
Prissy, a Boston Terrier owned by Denis and Barbara Henn, was attacked March 17 by two pit bulls who had been roaming the neighborhood.
Prissy was in the Henns’ yard within an invisible dog fence. She suffered multiple puncture wounds and was left for dead by the two dogs the Henns have labeled “predators.” They have alleged the dogs are part of a dog-fighting operation.
Prissy required more than 125 stitches and staples.
“This event came as a brutal shock to my family and to our neighbors, many of whom have small pets,” Denis Henn told the Community Development District 9 Board of Supervisors at their meeting Thursday afternoon.
He had been called before the board after a fence he put up to protect his pet was found to be in violation of deed compliance.
Henn said the pit bulls were spotted in late July back in the neighborhood. He’s fearful there could be another attack.
A complaint about the Henns’ fence was lodged in May.
Supervisors were sympathetic. They briefly debated the possibility of exploring a policy change to the Architectural Review Manual that could provide for fences in some cases.
However, Supervisor Steve Brown’s motion to that effect died for lack of a second.
Supervisor Don Hickman said he was compassionate.
“But we might be opening up pandora’s box,” he added.
Supervisor Kent Kluver thought the matter was a little more black and white.
“There is a fence out there and it does not meet the criteria,” he said.
Ultimately, the board voted 4-0 to find the Henns in violation of deed compliance.
The fence will have to come down or the homeowners could face fines and other potential penalties.
In an interview with Villages-News.com after the meeting, Denis Henn said Prissy, now three years old, has recovered from the attack.
