Authorities maintain safety of visitors and wildlife at your Geauga parks
Ranger Department is to be commended for responding to several notable calls for service within the past few weeks, and would also like to remind the public of a park law requiring animal owners to maintain control over their animals at all times.
On Sunday, March 30, about 8 p.m., rangers responded to a report of a brown Boxer that had fallen through the ice at Beartown Lakes Reservation. A quick decision by Ranger Brian Kerr and Ranger Mike Rose to call the Auburn Fire Department for assistance resulted in the dog being saved, although the firefighter who performed the rescue, Nick Tomaselli, was taken to the University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center for hypothermia after a hole was discovered in his cold water gear.
The dog owner stated that his dog ran away from him and onto the ice near the bridge on Lower Bear Lake. When asked if his dog was on a leash, the owner said it was not. He was then cited under park rule 2.1, for failing to keep an animal on a physical leash not to exceed eight (8) feet in length and to keep such animal under control at all times while in the park.
Leash laws are enforced on all Geauga Park District properties, and dogs are required to be on leash at all times for the benefit of dog owners, other park visitors, and the resident wildlife. Even the most highly trained and best-behaved pets can be unpredictable at times, so leashing is required for the best interest of all. Failure to follow this law can result in a fine.
Then, on Thursday, May 1, about 1:15 p.m., Ranger Mike Benesh responded to an animal bite report at the north entrance of Headwaters Park. The bite victim, a male, advised that he had been walking with his wife back to his vehicle when a leashed Doberman, being walked in the oppose direction, “lunged” at him and grabbed his coat sleeve. The victim reported that when he pulled away, the dog bit his left hand, and displayed a puncture mark on the top of his hand just behind his knuckles.
Ranger Benesh located the owner, who said her dog bit the man for an unknown reason, but that her dog had never done that before, and is always calm. The victim received urgent care from his own doctor, who received notice from the ranger of the dog’s three-year rabies booster in March 2013.
The owner was cited under park rule 2.2, for maintaining an animal within the park that excites fear or disturbs the quiet or enjoyment of others. The Geauga County Health Department required that her dog be quarantined for 10 days.
Both park laws carry a maximum fine of $100.
Sergeant Ranger Allan Frantz also responded to a report of a sick or injured Bald Eagle Friday, May 2, about 8:40 p.m. at a residence on Priorway Drive in Newbury.
The bird was found grounded in a back yard and appeared to be very lethargic. When approached, it attempted, but was unable to fly. Russell Police Department brought a cage from Rescue Village to transport the eagle, and a veterinarian assisted in placing the bird into the cage and caring for it overnight.
On May 3, rangers transported the bird for treatment to the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center at Lake Metroparks’ Penitentiary Glen Reservation, where it died May 4. A post-mortem will be conducted to determine cause of death, according to the Wildlife Center.
