The Norwalk City Council on Dec. 4 affirmed the police chief’s declaration that a dog named Rusty met the city code’s definition of a vicious animal after reviewing multiple incidents spanning 2024–2025. Police Chief Greg Staples presented a timeline and excerpts from police reports and victim emails describing biting incidents that involved pedestrians and bicyclists at Billy O Phillips Park.

Chief Staples said recorded incidents include a June 2024 report, a Sept. 8, 2024 incident that required stitches, a July 19, 2025 bite reported later, and an Oct. 4, 2025 incident in which a child was pulled from a bicycle and suffered puncture marks. Staples said he informed the owner on July 19 and again on Oct. 6 that additional biting incidents would trigger a vicious-dog declaration; he issued the formal declaration on Oct. 6 after the Oct. 4 report.

Anne Bechtel, Rusty’s owner, addressed the council and apologized: "I take full responsibility," she said, acknowledged a failure to obtain earlier training and described steps she had taken to enroll Rusty in training after the incidents. A professional trainer, Patty Lance, testified that Rusty completed a targeted desensitization and obedience program and that the dog currently shows improved behavior around bicycles when handled correctly.

Council members reviewed the statutory elements required by city code (multiple bites causing injury; history of attacking, chasing or approaching in an apparent attitude of attack, including toward wheeled conveyances). By roll call the council determined both elements were met and voted to confirm the police chief’s determination. The motion to uphold the declaration carried unanimously.

The hearing was narrowly focused on whether the code’s criteria were satisfied; remedies and enforcement steps (licensing, confinement, penalties) were discussed as separate, subsequent steps required by code if the finding is upheld.