Bull terrorizing Woodbury Road resident
Laura Olson
Issue date: 12/5/07 Section: News
A Castleton man has had it with his neighbor's bull.
Hugh Tredwell, a Woodbury Road resident, appeared before the Castleton Select Board at its Nov. 12 meeting to request help, advice, and compensation concerning damages purportedly caused to his property by his neighbor's bull.
Tredwell claimed that the bull's owner, Jerry Savage, has been avoiding phone calls and neglecting his responsibilities to keep(ing) the animal domesticated.
"What I'm most upset about is a play area for my kids that I built on Mother's Day being completely destroyed by this animal," said Tredwell .
In addition to the play area, Tredwell said that the bull has caused other "extensive damages," including embedded footprints in his grass, deactivation of an electric fence that he uses to prevent his dogs from leaving the yard, and destruction of his flower bed.
Though Tredwell openly sought reimbursement for the physical damages done, it was clear that his biggest concern was his children.
"I have 4 acres of lawn, but I can't leave my kids outside. I have 2-year-old twins and a 3-year-old, and I hate worrying that they're going to get charged by this bull while I'm not around," Tredwell said.
He told the board that earlier that evening he had spoken with Animal Control Officer Kevin Mulholland to "handle this properly" rather than carry out his gut intentions to "destroy the animal." Tredwell stated that there was a possibility of Mulholland appearing at that night's meeting to confirm, but he did not.
Instead of passing Tredwell's compensation request, Select Board Chairman Tom Ettori said he wanted to see what Mulholland had to say first. However, Ettori assured Tredwell that his plea was not being ignored.
"We will try to get you some answers," said Ettori.
Before moving forward with the agenda, Town Manager Jon Dodd added, "I'd personally like to see it happen so that you don't have to come back since this is an immediate concern."
Hugh Tredwell, a Woodbury Road resident, appeared before the Castleton Select Board at its Nov. 12 meeting to request help, advice, and compensation concerning damages purportedly caused to his property by his neighbor's bull.
Tredwell claimed that the bull's owner, Jerry Savage, has been avoiding phone calls and neglecting his responsibilities to keep(ing) the animal domesticated.
"What I'm most upset about is a play area for my kids that I built on Mother's Day being completely destroyed by this animal," said Tredwell .
In addition to the play area, Tredwell said that the bull has caused other "extensive damages," including embedded footprints in his grass, deactivation of an electric fence that he uses to prevent his dogs from leaving the yard, and destruction of his flower bed.
Though Tredwell openly sought reimbursement for the physical damages done, it was clear that his biggest concern was his children.
"I have 4 acres of lawn, but I can't leave my kids outside. I have 2-year-old twins and a 3-year-old, and I hate worrying that they're going to get charged by this bull while I'm not around," Tredwell said.
He told the board that earlier that evening he had spoken with Animal Control Officer Kevin Mulholland to "handle this properly" rather than carry out his gut intentions to "destroy the animal." Tredwell stated that there was a possibility of Mulholland appearing at that night's meeting to confirm, but he did not.
Instead of passing Tredwell's compensation request, Select Board Chairman Tom Ettori said he wanted to see what Mulholland had to say first. However, Ettori assured Tredwell that his plea was not being ignored.
"We will try to get you some answers," said Ettori.
Before moving forward with the agenda, Town Manager Jon Dodd added, "I'd personally like to see it happen so that you don't have to come back since this is an immediate concern."
Be the first to comment on this story