The Dawson County Board of Health designated an Australian Shepherd as a dangerous dog during its Oct. 29 board meeting.

The dogs owner, Stephanie Sosebee, was cited Sept. 17, for failing to restrain the animal while it was off the property, in violation of county ordinance 10-25(d).

According to health board member, Dr. Larry Anderson, the dog attacked a neighbor causing a puncture wound that required antibiotics and a tetanus shot.

This was the second time the dog got out, Anderson said. The first time it nipped at someone, but there were no puncture wounds.

The dog apparently slipped out from beneath a garage door when Sosebee hit the wrong button, which opened the door instead of closing it.

Its an unfortunate event, Anderson said. Weve all done that with the garage door, but in this case someone was hurt. The neighbor took a taser out of his pocket in an effort to protect himself.

Once designed a dangerous dog, the animals owner must display dangerous dog signage. The county can require the dog to be micro-chipped, but in this case, that was not required, according to Anderson.

Dawson County code states a dangerous dog must be kept on a leash limited to six feet, and owners can have no more than one dangerous dog at a time.

The owner may appeal the dangerous dog designation to the Dawson County Probate Court.