Christine Harris case

Christine Harris	Zoning violations for too many dogs	Salem, NH Rockingham County	December 16, 2002
	3 Unlicensed dogs	Salem, NH Rockingham County	November 20, 2002
	Dogs being a public nuisance	Salem, NH Rockingham County	August 18, 2007
	50 dogs & 2 birds living in squalor and unvaccinated	Salem, NH Rockingham County	September 13, 2007

Harris of 75 S. Policy St. #61 appeared in Salem District Court for violating 2 of the town’s zoning ordinances which prohibit residents from keeping more than 5 dogs on their property.

Zoning Official Sam Zannini counted at least 40 dogs and 3 of them were visibly pregnant. Zannini also ordered Harris to tear down an addition she added on the back of her mobile home because she did not obtain property building permits prior to construction.

Each of the zoning violations carries a $5,000 fine.

The dogs are varied ranging from rottweilers to small dogs such as terriers.

Neighbors report that they are frustrated with the incessant barking of the dogs. Some of the rottweilers have gotten loose and run in the neighborhood. One of them killed a neighbor’s pet bunny after it jumped the fence. The neighbors report that the dogs have gotten out at least 30 times and worry about the safety of their children. Harris moved into the neighborhood around 1997.

The neighbors also report that the mobile home “reeks” inside and the small backyard is a mess. The state veterinarian and health officer have been to the home. The dogs are healthy and in good condition but there are just too many of them and at the time of their visit no health violations on the property.

On November 20^th Harris was served a court summons because she was in violation for not licensing 3 of the dogs. Harris has until January 31, 2003 to comply with the zoning violations and must appear in court on December 23^rd for not licensing the dogs.

The case was eventually dropped because Harris torn down the addition and complied with town regulations.

Update 8/18/07:

Harris has been charged with her dogs being a public nuisance and with having several dogs without licensing them.

Update 9/13/07:

About 40 dogs were removed from Harris’s home and she was charged for simple assault for shoving a tow truck operator and failing to comply with a search warrant. Harris is being held on $10,000 cash bail. The tow truck driver had come to take away 2 unregistered cars by happenstance at the same time the Animal Control Officer arrived with a search warrant.

The home was condemned by Salem’s Health Officer Brian Lockhard due to the poor conditions and the number of dogs living there. Harris cannot move back into the home until it is cleaned.

The dogs removed were pugs, Boston terriers, minipins, 3 rottweilers, an English bulldog and mixed breeds. Some of the dogs were nursing puppies.

To add to Harris’ problems, the mobile park owner, Martin Taylor is trying to evict her from the property and the case is being decided by the state Supreme Court. Case #2007-0154 was submittedon 4/17/2007. The cases oral argument is scheduled for 2/13/08 at 9:30am.

(Photo courtesy of the Eagle Tribune - these 3 pugs Frankie, Sophie and Buddy Gene are in foster care and being held by Valorie Hayes and Ray Dennis of Salem Animal Rescue League)

The Salem Animal Rescue League, the NHSPCA and the Monadnock Humane Society are caring for the dogs. Salem has already seen extensive overcrowding as have several other animal shelters this year from an ever-increasing cat population.

Update 1/9/08:

Several humane organizations have gained legal custody of the animals. About 17 of the dog will be available for adoption, according to the NHSPCA. The animals were released under the state’s abandoned animal’s statute, which is allowed when the prosecutors no longer need the animals for the prosecution and the owner does not pick them up. Harris, age 54, twice refused to claim the certified letter to get the dogs back. Under the law she was given 7 days to pick up the dogs.

Harris has been found not guilty in Salem District Court on a simple assault charge. However Harris was found guilty of 5 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty but is appealing the conviction.

The NHSPCA has accrued a bill of $17,000 in caring for 17 dogs and 1 parrot. While Monadnock and Salem have accrued $28,000 and $4,000. Salem took 17 dogs and the remainder went to Monadnock. The animals have been in protective custody for 16 weeks.

Harris faces up to a month in jail if her conviction is not overturned. She was sentenced to 6 months in jail, 5 of which were suspended as long as she remains on good behavior. Harris has also been banned from having custody, possession or owning any dogs for 2 years. Harris is still fighting the eviction from her mobile home where her case was heard before the state Supreme Court in April. In addition, a complaint of refusal to permit an inspection was placed on file without a finding. The 9 multiple counts of unlicensed dogs and vaccination violations were dismissed and 4 charges of having a dog that was a menace or nuisance were placed on file as well.

Reference:

The Eagle Tribune

NHSPCA

Salem Observer

The New Hampshire Union Leader

WCSH6

WMUR Channel 9