Suamico board holds first reading to move dangerous-dog appeals to Public Health and Safety Committee

The Suamico Village Board on Oct. 21 held a first reading of Ordinance 2024-13, a proposal to amend Chapter 11.23 to route appeals of dangerous or potentially dangerous dog determinations through the Public Health and Safety Committee rather than the full village board.

Administrator introduced the ordinance and explained the change: "Tonight is only a first reading for the ordinance, so it would come back at the first meeting in December for action." Trustees then discussed whether an in-house appeal process benefits residents or risks delaying their ability to seek relief in circuit court.

Trustee Eckert said he remained opposed and questioned whether a committee hearing would displace residents' access to timely judicial review: "I learned by going through this experience that a resident could appeal to the court… and the process of appealing to the board actually put the resident at risk." Administrator said municipalities commonly offer an in-house appeal as a less-formal, potentially less-costly option than circuit court.

Trustees also clarified that the 30-day period to file in circuit court runs from the final determination and that committee meetings are typically monthly, which could introduce scheduling delays. The board did not take final action; the president said a second reading is scheduled for the first board meeting in December.