Spurrier v. Lake Cty. Dog Warden ( 2018 )

[Cite as Spurrier v. Lake Cty. Dog Warden, 2018-Ohio-4663.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
ELEVENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
LAKE COUNTY, OHIO
DR. ANN M. SPURRIER, : OPINION
Petitioner-Appellant, :
CASE NO. 2018-L-026
- vs - :
LAKE COUNTY DOG WARDEN, :
Respondent-Appellee. :
Civil Appeal from the Painesville Municipal Court, Case No. 2017 CVH 00767.
Judgment: Affirmed.
Matthew C. Bangerter, P.O. Box 148, Mentor, OH 44061 (For Petitioner-Appellant).
Charles E. Coulson, Lake County Prosecutor; Harrison L. Crumrine and Jason R.
Shachner, Assistant Prosecutors, Lake County Administration Building, 105 Main Street,
P.O. Box 490, Painesville, OH 44077 (For Respondent-Appellee).
CYNTHIA WESTCOTT RICE, J.
{¶1} Appellant, Dr. Ann M. Spurrier, appeals from the judgment of the Painesville
Municipal Court, adopting the magistrate’s decision and affirming the designation of her
dog as a “dangerous dog.” We affirm the municipal court’s judgment for the reasons that
follow.
{¶2} On May 9, 2017, appellee, the Lake County Dog Warden, designated
appellant’s dog, an Alaskan Malamute named “Snow,” a “dangerous dog,” pursuant to
R.C. 955.11. The designation was given to Snow after she killed another dog, a
Dachsund named “Bella,” owned by Dr. Spurrier’s neighbors, Robert and Donna Raines.
{¶3} An owner of a “dangerous dog” must comply with certain requirements
found in R.C. 955.11, R.C. 955.22, and R.C. 955.54, which set forth, inter alia, procedures
relating to confining, tethering, registering, and neutering the dog, transferring ownership
of the dog, and obtaining liability insurance. A dog owner who disagrees with the
designation of their dog as “dangerous” may request a hearing with the municipal or
county court that has territorial jurisdiction over the owner. R.C. 955.222(C). At the
hearing, the person who designated the dog a “dangerous dog” has the burden of proving,
by clear and convincing evidence, that the dog is “dangerous.” Id.{¶4} Dr. Spurrier objected to the designation and requested a hearing, pursuant
to R.C. 955.222(C). A hearing was held before the magistrate in the municipal court on
October 18, 2017. The magistrate issued findings of fact and conclusions of law on
November 3, 2017, affirming the designation of Snow as a “dangerous dog.” By judgment
entry filed that same day, the trial court adopted and affirmed the magistrate’s decision.
Dr. Spurrier filed objections to the magistrate’s decision, which the trial court overruled on
January 8, 2018.
{¶5} Dr. Spurrier noticed a timely appeal, assigning the following errors for our
review:
[1.] The trial court abused its discretion by affirming and adopting the
magistrate’s decision designating appellant’s dog a “dangerous dog.”
[2.] The trial court erred by improperly shifting the burden of proof
onto the petitioner.
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{¶6} Dr. Spurrier contends the trial court erred when it adopted the magistrate’s
decision affirming Snow’s designation as a “dangerous dog.” In her first assignment of
error, Dr. Spurrier asserts the Dog Warden did not satisfy its burden of proof; her
arguments essentially challenge the magistrate’s determination as being against the
manifest weight of the evidence.
{¶7} When a judgment is challenged as being against the weight of the evidence,
the reviewing court must consider all the evidence in the record, the reasonable
inferences, and the credibility of the witnesses to determine whether, in resolving
evidentiary conflicts, the trier of fact “‘clearly lost its way and created such a manifest
miscarriage of justice that the [judgment] must be reversed and a new trial ordered.’”
Eastley v. Volkman, 132 Ohio St.3d 328, 2012-Ohio-2179, ¶20, quoting State v.
Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 387 (1997), quoting State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172,
175 (1st Dist.1983).
{¶8} “Consequently, when reviewing the weight of the evidence, our analysis
must determine whether the trial court’s judgment was supported by the greater amount
of credible evidence, and whether the plaintiff met its burden of persuasion, which in this
instance is by clear and convincing evidence.” Henry Cty. Dog Warden v. Henry Cty.
Humane Soc., 3d Dist. Henry No. 7-16-06, 2016-Ohio-7541, ¶14, citing Eastley, supra, at
¶19. “Clear and convincing” does not mean “clear and unequivocal.” In re Estate of
Haynes, 25 Ohio St.3d 101, 104 (1986). “Clear and convincing is the measure or degree
of proof that will produce in the mind of the trier of fact a firm belief or conviction as to the
allegations sought to be established. It is intermediate, being more than a mere
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preponderance, but not to the extent of such certainty as required beyond a reasonable
doubt as in criminal cases.” Id.{¶9} “Dangerous dog” is defined in R.C. 955.11(A)(1)(a), in relevant part, as “a
dog that, without provocation, * * * has done any of the following: (i) Caused injury, other
than killing or serious injury, to any person; (ii) Killed another dog; (iii) Been the subject
of a third or subsequent violation of [R.C. 955.22(C)].” (Emphasis added.) “‘Without
provocation’ means that a dog was not teased, tormented, or abused by a person, or that
the dog was not coming to the aid or the defense of a person who was not engaged in
illegal or criminal activity and who was not using the dog as a means of carrying out such
activity.” R.C. 955.11(A)(7).
{¶10} At the hearing before the magistrate, the Dog Warden presented the
testimony of Robert and Donna Raines, and Dr. Spurrier testified in her own behalf. Mr.
and Mrs. Raines live next door to Dr. Spurrier and were the owners of Bella.
{¶11} Mr. and Mrs. Raines testified that they were outside prior to the altercation.
Mr. Raines was using the weed trimmer, and Bella was sitting on Mrs. Raines’ lap while
she mowed the lawn on the riding lawnmower. Mrs. Raines then went inside, and Bella
and Mr. Raines remained outside. Mr. Raines testified that he witnessed the entire event.
He first noticed Snow coming from underneath the pasture area for his horses, then he
saw Snow coming towards them, and Bella barked several times. Mr. Raines then saw
Bella run toward the back of their house with Snow in pursuit. Bella stopped running in
front of their back porch and rolled over onto her back in a submissive position. Snow
grabbed Bella “around the middle” and shook her for a minute or so. When Snow
released her, Dr. Spurrier pulled Snow away; blood was “spurting” from Bella’s chest. Mr.
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and Mrs. Raines heard Dr. Spurrier yell to her husband that Snow had just killed the
neighbors’ dog. Bella died within minutes thereafter.
{¶12} Dr. Spurrier testified that Snow was on her property but not on a leash just
prior to the incident. Snow escaped her pen and went under the fence to the horse corral
on the Raines’ property. Dr. Spurrier went over to her, and Snow was coming toward Dr.
Spurrier when Mr. Raines and Bella came around the horse barn. Bella started barking
and charged toward Snow. Snow looked at Dr. Spurrier and then looked back at Bella.
Snow then chased after Bella, who ran toward the Raines’ house. She testified the dogs
made contact and fought, “tussling” across the yard. When they ended up near the
Raines’ deck, approximately 20 feet from where they first made contact, Bella laid down.
Dr. Spurrier commanded Snow to stop approximately three or four times; Snow did not
obey until after the fight was over.
{¶13} When asked if she had previously encountered Bella, Dr. Spurrier testified
that Bella would run toward her when she was out walking in the morning, but Bella never
left the Raines’ yard. She has never known Snow to chase after Bella or any other
animals in the neighborhood. Dr. Spurrier testified that Snow is a purebred Alaskan
Malamute that has received various obedience and temperament certificates, is certified
as a therapy dog, and has received training on how to control her protective instincts.
She testified Snow is a show dog and will not be permitted to compete in Ohio with a
“dangerous dog” designation.
{¶14} On appeal, Dr. Spurrier argues the witness testimony failed to establish by
clear and convincing evidence that Snow acted “without provocation,” specifically, that
Snow was not coming to Dr. Spurrier’s aid or defense when Snow killed Bella. Dr.
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Spurrier contends the Dog Warden failed to satisfy its burden of proof because her own
testimony was more credible than the Raines’ testimony.
{¶15} As an appellate court is not in a position to observe the witnesses’
demeanor, gestures, and voice inflections for the purpose of weighing the credibility of
their testimony, we must give substantial deference to the factfinder’s determinations of
credibility. State v. Leasock, 11th Dist. Trumbull No. 2017-T-0072, 2018-Ohio-1774, ¶17,
citing State v. DeHass, 10 Ohio St.2d 230 (1967), paragraph one of the syllabus (internal
citation omitted); see also Henry Cty., supra, at ¶16. “This court will not substitute its
judgment for that of the trier of facts on the issue of witness credibility unless it is patently
apparent that the trier of fact lost its way in arriving at its verdict.” Montgomery Cty. Animal
Resource Ctr. v. Johnson, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 27110, 2017-Ohio-7939, ¶14.
{¶16} Upon review, we do not conclude the magistrate lost its way or created a
manifest miscarriage of justice in affirming the Dog Warden’s designation. We note that
some of the testimony about Snow’s temperament, upon which Dr. Spurrier relies on
appeal, received objections from the prosecutor, which were sustained by the magistrate.
Further, the magistrate was entitled to give the testimony such weight as it deemed
proper. Accordingly, giving due deference to the magistrate’s determination of witness
credibility, the record establishes that Snow was not coming to Dr. Spurrier’s aid or
defense when Snow killed Bella. Snow’s designation as a “dangerous dog” under R.C.
955.11(A)(1)(a) is not against the manifest weight of the evidence.
{¶17} Dr. Spurrier’s first assignment of error is without merit.
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{¶18} In her second assignment of error, Dr. Spurrier contends the trial court erred
by adopting a magistrate’s decision that improperly shifted onto her the burden of proving
an essential element.
{¶19} Again, as is relevant here, “dangerous dog” is defined as a dog that, without
provocation, has killed another dog; “without provocation” meaning, in part, “that the dog
was not coming to the aid or the defense of a person who was not engaged in illegal or
criminal activity and who was not using the dog as a means of carrying out such activity.”
R.C. 955.11(A)(1)(a)(ii); R.C. 955.11(A)(7).
{¶20} In the magistrate’s decision, it is stated that “Petitioner has failed to
establish by clear and convincing evidence that Snow was coming to the aid or defense
of Petitioner.” We agree this is a misstatement of the burden of proof, as the statute
clearly directs that “the person who designated the dog as a * * * dangerous dog * * * has
the burden of proving, by clear and convincing evidence, that the dog is a * * * dangerous
dog[.]” R.C. 955.222(C). In context of the entire decision, however, it is clear the
magistrate correctly allocated the burden of proof. The magistrate ultimately concluded,
“Respondent has proven by clear and convincing evidence that Snow killed another dog
without provocation, and, therefore, the designation of ‘dangerous dog’ stands.”
{¶21} A review of the hearing transcript also reveals the magistrate understood
the prosecutor, on behalf of the Dog Warden, had the burden of proof in this matter.
During opening statements, Dr. Spurrier’s counsel conceded that, “the State, I believe
has the burden,” and the prosecutor agreed. The prosecutor then presented its case first.
During closing statements, the prosecutor acknowledged its burden of proof, and Dr.
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Spurrier’s counsel asserted the prosecutor had not satisfied the burden. Finally, the
magistrate allowed the prosecutor a rebuttal, stating, “Since you have the burden.”
{¶22} It is apparent, on the whole of the record, that the burden of proof was not
shifted in this matter; further, as stated above, the Dog Warden in fact satisfied its burden.
Therefore, although the magistrate’s statement of which Dr. Spurrier complains was in
error, it is not reversible error. See Bostic v. Connor, 37 Ohio St.3d 144, 149 (1988)
(reversal is not warranted when an error is deemed harmless and no prejudice occurs);
see also Civ.R. 61.
{¶23} Accordingly, we conclude the trial court did not err by adopting and affirming
the magistrate’s decision.
{¶24} Dr. Spurrier’s second assignment of error is without merit.
{¶25} The judgment of the Painesville Municipal Court is hereby affirmed.
DIANE V. GRENDELL, J., concurs,
COLLEEN MARY O’TOOLE, J., dissents.
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