Crime & Safety

Labradoodle Dog Deemed Vicious At Hearing

The following is based on reports from the Portsmouth Police Department.

A labradoodle dog has been deemed vicious after allegedly biting a Portsmouth jogger in the leg this past September. 

Portsmouth police say a 27-year-old Portsmouth woman was jogging along Islington Avenue when a labradoodle ran out and bit her on the leg. 

The injury caused a larceration on the leg. The victim was medically treated for the injury. 

Find out what's happening in Portsmouthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Under state law, a vicious dog hearing was held this past Friday at Town Hall. Officials at the hearing determined the dog to be vicious. 

The owner, Paul McKenna, must now comply with the following requirements under the state's vicious dog law

Find out what's happening in Portsmouthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • The dog must be tattooed or micro-chipped for tracking purposes; 
  • Install a notification sign of dog on property; 
  • Notify police if the dog is loose; 
  • Keep the dog on leash or muzzle when off property; 
  • Keep the dog on leash or in an enclosed space when on property; 
  • Notify police in both former and new town of any change of address; 
  • And, under law, cannot sell or give the dog away. 

What do you think about the regulations for vicious dogs? Do you think the law goes too far or not far enough? Tell us in the comment section. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.