by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

“We need to take a good look at enforcement of the dog policy and mechanisms for following up,” insisted Vice-Chancellor Rob Pearigen at the March 23 Sewanee Community Council meeting responding to a lengthy discussion prompted by a recent dog attack on campus. Council members also raised questions about upkeep of the Sewanee Market and proposed University apartments.

“The dog control policy was updated to be in line with Tennessee state law in September 2020,” said Superintendent of Leases Sallie Green. Prior to that, the most recent revision was 2014. Provost Scott Wilson summarized the policy: dogs were not required to be on a leash, but must be responsive to verbal command; owners of dogs posing a hazard may be issued a warning or citation and incur fines; victims of aggressive dogs should notify the owners, police, and animal control. (See the Lease Office or Provost’s webpages to view the policy.)

Council representative Marilyn Phelps cited a Feb. 28 Messenger story about a child chased and a person attacked by a dog. “People felt endangered and nothing was done,” Phelps said.

“The victim did not want to pursue it,” said Sewanee Police Captain Calem Knight, day shift. After being notified, the Sewanee police contacted Franklin County Animal Control, and the agency issued a warning.

“Why do we need to pivot to Animal Control?” Phelps asked.

“For a vicious dog, one that would be a safety concern, we have to rely on Animal Control because we don’t have the proper equipment, nor the proper training,” said night shift Police Captain Justin Smith. “We contain the dog the best we can until animal control arrives.”

In the past, Sewanee had a pound in the vicinity of the Equestrian Center, but Wilson said the structure needed repairs. If the facility was renovated, Wilson suggested the barn staff could care for the dogs. Green said funding could come from the Community Services budget.

Phelps also took issue with the policy wording, which stipulates the consequences for the owner of a vicious dog, “may happen,” not “will happen.” “The responsibility lands on the victim,” Phelps said, citing the requirement the victim should notify the dog owner.

Green argued things could often be resolved by people having a conversation with their neighbor.

“If someone was sexually assaulted on campus, we would not say go talk that out with the rapist,” said resident Brooks Egerton.

Council representative Katie Gohn asked, when a victim declined to press charges, could the police “take action?”

“We can issue a criminal summons if we feel we have probable cause,” Knight said. He pointed out people frequently did not report dog aggression incidents. Adding to the problem, the owner was often unknown, Smith said.

Egerton said there were police reports of dog attack incidents where the owner was known, but never questioned. “I’m not aware of the police issuing any citations,” Egerton stressed.

Another resident speculated the University could be sued if a person was attacked and no action was taken.

“A lot of the burden of responsibility is falling on the victim. This often involves power disparities. I can’t imagine a student [victim] would reach out to individuals of the community [who owned the dogs and were their superiors],” said Classics Professor Stephanie McCarter, whose child was chased and husband was bitten by a neighborhood dog. “We don’t want to worry about our kids being hurt. But it’s hard to say, ‘I want to press charges against my neighbor.’ Why wasn’t a citation issued? I would like to see more proactive intervention.”

“I’m sorry, Stephanie,” Pearigen said, “especially about your children.” Green, council representative Michael Payne, and Phelps will serve on a committee to tackle the dog policy question.

In discussion about upkeep of the Sewanee Market, Gohn remarked, “It was good to see a new roof, but there are still upkeep issues.” Gohn observed the building had long been in disrepair and, as a short-term lease, upkeep fell to the University. Vice President for Economic Development and Community Relations David Shipps confirmed that the future of the property was uncertain. “There have been lots of recommendations and studies about rethinking the area of the market and adjacent spaces,” Shipps said. “It boils down to a funding program to create the outcomes.”

Shipps likewise cited “funding” difficulty for delay in construction of the proposed University apartments. Shipps emphasized employee housing was “a priority. The plan, desire, outcome, and need remain the same.”

Updating the council on the investigation into lighting on campus, Pearigen said he, Wilson, and President of Facilities Management Robert Benton met with Duck River Electric. The utility will provide a map of all lighting on campus to facilitate further research about both over and under lighting concerns.

In the coming academic year, the council will meet on the following dates with reserve dates as noted if needed for urgent business: Aug. 25 (reserve), Sept. 22, Oct. 27, Nov. 24 (reserve), Jan. 26, Feb. 23 (reserve), March 23, April 27 (reserve), May 18, June 22 (reserve).

The annual Community Cleanup scheduled for April 26 begins at 9 a.m. Meet at the Mountain Goat Trailhead. Trash bags provided.