Code Enforcement Special Magistrate

Code Enforcement Special Magistrate 3:30 PM, September 23, 2025 James S. Page Governmental Complex, 96135 Nassau Place Yulee, FL 32097 OFFICIAL MINUTES Call to Order at 3:30 p.m. Present: Special Magistrate Harrison Poole; Abigail Jorandby, Deputy County Attorney, Elizabeth Moore, Assistant County Attorney; Heather Nazworth, Deputy Clerk; and Jami Nighbert, Recording Secretary. Pledge of Allegiance Introductory Remarks: Special Magistrate Poole introduced himself and reviewed the process of the meeting. Quasi-Judicial Procedures: County Attorney’s Office Ms. Moore read the Quasi-Judicial procedures. Swearing in of Witnesses The Deputy Clerk swore in Amy Bell, Nassau County Animal Services Interim Director; Timothy Maguire, Nassau County Animal Services Assistant Director; Martin Pruett, Nassau County Animal Services Shelter Manager; Nicholas Bacheller, Nassau County Animal Control Officer; Lothar Eckhardt, Nassau County Animal Control Field Training Officer; and Maria Cintron. A. Dangerous Dog Case Number 2025-00006175 ("Bailey") - 03:35:11 p.m. Documents submitted into the record for Case No. 2025-6175: Dangerous Dog Investigation Information Log dated August 16, 2025 – 1 Page; Affidavits and Statements from Ryan C. Cox, Ana N. Santana, Jose E. Perez Baerga, and Maria Cintron dated August 16, 2025 – 8 Pages; Department of Health Rabies Control Investigation Form 2- pages; Photos – 32 pages; Nassau County Animal Services Case Report dated August 16, 2025 – 4 Pages; Nassau County Animal Services Case Supplement Report dated August 19, 2025 – 2 Pages Nassau County Animal Services Dangerous Dog Investigation Request dated August 26, 2025 – 1 page; Nassau County Animal Services Dangerous Dog Declaration – 1 Page; Receipt of Dangerous Dog Declaration – 1 page; Appeal of Dangerous Dog Declaration for Bailey from Maria Cintron – 1 page; Notice of Hearing dated September 9, 2025 – 8 Pages; Affidavit of Mailing and Affidavit of Hand Delivery dated September 10, 2025 – 3 Pages; Rabies Home Quarantine Agreement dated August 16, 2025 – 4 Pages; Animal View Report 1/3

for Bailey dated September 19, 2025 – 2 Pages; Dunbar Bite Scale – 1 Page; Affidavit of Posting dated September 19, 2025 – 1 Page; and Photos - 14 pages. Note: Seeing no objections, Special Magistrate Poole placed the above documents into the record as evidence. Staff Presentation: Ms. Bell, Interim Director Nassau County Animal Services, reviewed documentation pertaining to the Dangerous Dog Case. Officer Nicholas Bacheller, Nassau County Animal Services, provided an overview of the events that occurred on August 16, 2025, following a call regarding an incident where two victims were attacked by a dog in Callahan. He advised that he met with Ryan Cox, complaint/victim; Maria Cintron, the dog owner; and the son of the victims to gather their statements. He determined that the dog, named Bailey, was outside without restraint and concluded that the lack of proper care and control by the owner constituted a public nuisance. Officer Bachelor stated he found the owner in violation of Nassau County Code 6-45 which references animal restraint. He noted that after the report of the attack, he provided Maria Cintron and the victim's son with a Dangerous Dog packet and Bailey, the dog, was placed under home quarantine. Officer Bachelor concluded his testimony by stating that he met with the victims the following day, August 17, 2025, to review the Dangerous Dog packet with them. Officer Lothar Eckhardt, Nassau County Animal Services, provided details regarding the events that took place following a comprehensive review of the case and reported that Bailey has been quarantined at the Nassau County Animal Services facility since that date. He noted that on August 26, 2025, the victims submitted their affidavits, prompting a meeting among the Animal Control Officers to evaluate the facts surrounding the dog attack. He referenced that during this meeting, they reviewed various documents and photographs related to the incident and given the severity of the attack, which was classified as a Level 5 bite on the Dunbar Bite Scale, Bailey was deemed a Dangerous Dog under Florida Statutes 767.11 Subsections 3(a) and (c). Concluding his testimony, Officer Eckhardt stated that on August 27, 2025, he delivered the Dangerous Dog Declaration to Maria Cintron and addressed her questions regarding the appeal process. Ms. Bell reviewed the County's request regarding Bailey. Respondents Presentation: Maria Cintron to provide her response regarding the filing of the appeal. She emphasized that she has never had any issues with Bailey before and felt that the man posed a threat because he was walking with a stick. Ms. Cintron recounted that she did not notice the other people nearby until Bailey ran across the yard. She explained that her family has had Bailey since her birth and has taken every precaution to ensure that such an incident doesn’t occur again. She provided photos regrading the safety measures she has implemented. She provided photos of Bailey as a puppy with her family, all of which were submitted as evidence. Following her testimony, Special Magistrate Poole and Elizabeth Moore, Assistant County Attorney, inquired regarding the specific precautions put in place to secure Bailey. Continued Staff Presentation: Mr. Maquire, Nassau County Animal Services, came forward to provide further information regarding the Level 5 bite on the Dunbar Bite Scale. Following his remarks, Ms. Moore and Mr. Maquire engaged in a discussion regarding the potential risk of future attacks, and referencing the Dunbar Bite Scale as a critical point of consideration. Finding of Facts: Special Magistrate Poole has ordered that the Respondent's dog, Bailey, be classified as a "dangerous dog." as a result, and Bailey shall be humanely euthanized once the Order becomes final, following the expiration of any appeal period or at the request of the Respondent. 2/3

General public comments for items not on the agenda: None. Next hearing date: October 14, 2025. Adjournment at 4:21 p.m. _____________________________________ Harrison Poole, Special Magistrate 3/3 Approved on November 18, 2025: