Graham and Odin were best buddies who were killed by Northbridge Husky
Northbridge Selectman have scheduled a dog hearing for September 14, 2015 for a Husky who killed a Mini Poodle and a Chihuahua while boarding at Gibson Kennel in Grafton.
The hearing was requested by the owners of the two small dogs, Roger and Brenda Demers. According to Northbridge Selectman the town of Northbridge is responsible for holding a hearing, if so requested, as the owner of the husky lives in Northbridge.
“We conducted an investigation with the dog officer and spoke to neighbors of the owner of the dog that lives in our town,” said Police Chief Warchol. “From our end there is no evidence to indicate that the dog is a vicious dog…I think everyone agrees the husky killed the two small dogs in Grafton but there is no evidence to indicate that this dog has been a nuisance in our community,” said Chief Warchol.
The owners of Oden and Graham, the two mauled dogs, feel differently. “Although the husky does not have any previous incidents in Northbridge, this dog killed our two boys” said Brenda Demers. “People of Northbridge need to know there is a dog in their community capable of killing not one but two small dogs,” she said.
In a Fox 25 interview in June Gibson Kennel owner Bob Gibson said the husky attacked the two small dogs. According to Gibson the husky banged the kennel until the bracket broke causing the doors on the other kennels to tilt, this allowed the two little dogs to get out. According to Gibson that’s when the husky attacked. When asked if there was anything that could have been done to prevent the attack Gibson said, “I don’t know.”
“The husky has been home with it’s owner with no restrictions while we grieve the death of our dogs,” said Brenda. “That is just wrong,” she said.
The Demers are hoping the people of Northbridge become aware of this matter and contact town officials and ask them to do the right thing.
The Demers are also working with state representatives to bring about change in state regulations in regards to kennel oversight. Many towns in Massachusetts do not regularly inspect kennels.
Editors note: Upton Daily editor, Jennifer Doyle, knows the Demers family and also knew Graham
UPTON DAILY 
A muzzle in public would not be an unreasonable request. Is it wrong for people to want the husky to have restrictions? The husky owners should not be punished but their dog needs additional restraints in public spaces. It caught the “bunny” and now the Husky’s instinct will to be to catch more.
Is there a history of the husky not behaving properly (i.e., attacking) when in the care of its owners? If not, there is no reason to subject its owners to anything. They did NOTHING wrong.
I hardly doubt those two dogs did anything either but, it was ok to subject their family to horror. Your tapped and make no sense.
Wondering…I wouldn’t respond to another thing you have to say. Your not worth the air, craaazzzy.
RIP two pups.
Hey Jane, they have to start somewhere right?
This action would hurt only the owners of the husky, who were attempting to be responsible owners by leaving their pet at a kennel while away. The kennel is responsible for the situation that took place while the husky was in its care. The owners do not need to be punished with the loss of their dog. Sue the kennel, but leave the dog and it’s owners alone. Why cause other pet owners distress? What did the owners do wrong?
Wondering…it has nothing to do with the dog owners. It is clearly the dog with issues. All problems start somewhere and who’s to say that it didn’t have any other issues that weren’t reported. Seems as though the kennel has many issues that also went unreported, looking at some of the comments all over the internet. The husky killed, it doesn’t get any simpler than that. You can defend that all day long but, you come up with two dead dogs and a very sad family somewhere. So, prevention is the best defense or would you rather see someone else or something else hurt before something was done. Maybe you should offer up your pet and see what the husky does, if you even own a dog. Very ignorant, you won’t put your name so obviously a friend of the family. Both are responsible kennel and husky. You can’t force a dog to eat two other dogs. They do that all on their own, are you thinking there was a huge conversation? “I dare you to eat those two dogs”. Sorry, for sounding a bit gruff about the two dogs but, your off your rocker if you think that the husky that actually did the killing is innocent. Not all huskys have killed which is a point someone brought up. But, when they do, there is a drive. Read the top ten list most dangerous dogs, it’s not there for the hell of it. They have the most kills only to be outdone by 2 other dog breeds.
“Wondering” …sounds like you may in fact be the husky owner, neighbor or close friend. Two dogs died because of the husky, it should not be put down but it should have serious restraints as that would be two strikes, at least in my book. It’s equal parts husky and kennel, although the kennel should have been monitoring the situation to avoid things like this happening. Ultimately the husky is the owners responsibility, your dog, your problem. Get over it, the owner should have stepped up instead of trying to pass off the blame, I heard not even an apology to the deceased dogs owner! That’s just disgusting and cowardly. Husky owner should be ashamed to even show her face. POS.
Jane.
I am disgusted with the kennel too – Unfortunately the kennel has allowed this husky to be put in a bad position. I understand a husky is prey driven and obviously this one has a very strong instinct. At the same time this dog’s extremely strong instinct is the reason it needs restrictions to be in place to protect other small dogs it may come in contact with in common areas, like parks etc. My cousin had a husky and two cats, not once did the husky attempt to attack the cats. This husky’s instinct if VERY strong and it should have some restrictions. I don’t think anyone wants to see the husky put down they just want to protect other small dogs from being victims of this husky’s prey instinct.
I agree. My Shih-tzu means the world to myself, wife and kids. If this dog did something to my dog, I would be surely on the town for letting this dog go without restrictions. Why would they want to risk it? It’s not as though it could happen, it already has. My condolences to the DeMers family.
Sad story all around, but this just makes it worse. The kennnel owners are to blame for lax oversite and should pay a price.
This is the kennel’s fault, 100%. Anyone who has a husky knows their small prey instinct and the kennel should have been on total alert with him. The husky owners probably go out of their way to be sure their dog is managed well at home, as shown by the fact their is no evidence of any issue at home. Heartbreaking for the Demers, something they will live with for a long time. But the husky was being a husky, and the husky owners were doing what they thought was okay – leaving their dog with a professional kennel who SHOULD know how to manage a husky. I don’t understand why Northbridge has any right to hold a hearing about an event that did not happen in their town…
Sue H. you are completely right, the husky was being a husky. Said in your own words…”a husky knows their small prey instinct”. That is merely the reason this dog is vicious. Because it considers small animals prey and because it has killed these two dogs. Those two facts alone show it is dangerous. Not all huskys have killed which also shows, this particular one is a danger to others. I would not want my Shih-tzu running around the same vicinity as that husky or even have the chance to be boarded with it. Not to mention when it goes to the vet, it will obviously run into other animals. As for Susan, I think it was pretty clear by the descriptions and how the dogs were found that they were mauled to death by another dog, not a bump on the head. I can’t imagine how you could put the blame on someone else. Bottom line is this dog has killed 2 dogs, all issues start somewhere and if the town doesn’t put restrictions on this dog, it seems as though they will be taking on a huge liability that something else may happen again. Doesn’t matter where it happened, the dog lives in Northbridge so it’s their responsibility.
Although the husky may have killed the two small dogs, the kennel is as much as responsible. Something triggered him to attack. Was there a video that proves that the husky actually attacked the two dogs? I certainly hope that the kennel is not using the husky to get them out of any wrong doing or responsibility. They are as much as responsible since it happened during their watch. Those gates should have been securely lock and supervised at all times.
Susan and Sue H,…You must be the owner Jane of the husky. Also Sue H and Susan, commenting immediately after, as if you forgot to add something. Transparent!