SHOCK VIDEO: Barnstable ‘dogcatchers’ raid man’s home… would not tell him why… Will Augusto be run out of town?
The following video shows Barnstable Animal Control officers conducting an early morning raid on a Hyannis man’s home. The video also shows interviews which provide some of the background believed to have led up to animal control officers serving this particular search warrant. In the video, HN went right to the top of Barnstable town government in order to learn more about the town’s official side of the story.
But before we get to the video, please read this brief section of Barnstable’s “Dog Control” regulations. Under Chapter 403, section 1-B, entitled “Authority; intent,” the scope and intentions of “dog control” regulations are spelled out:
“B. These regulations are intended to guide those persons owning or keeping dogs within the Town of Barnstable in their role as responsible pet owners. Although it is hoped these regulations will act as an educational tool, it must also be understood that enforcement of same is necessary to protect the rights and safety of the public…”
Notice that I highlighted “intended to guide” and “educational tool” in the above quotation. That is because the people who drafted these regulations found those two elements important, which is why they mentioned them prior to the word “enforcement.”
Have we forgotten the true spirit of the Barnstable dog control regulations? Were early morning raids on a peaceful man and his dogs envisioned while drafting these regulations?
We live in a town with serious issues such as drug dealers, overdoses, prostitution, illegal aliens, car jackings, muggings, and other serious crimes, with the perpetrators often walking out of court and back onto the streets without punishment, consequences, or fines… meanwhile, we’re jumping over fences and serving search warrants on a peaceful talented dog handler for having one too many dogs…
The following video mostly shows the point of views of the subject of this recent early morning raid by Barnstable “Animal Control” officers. Augusto Deoliveira is a dog trainer, and keeper of many German Shepherds.
It is my hope, that the Town provides more information on why they needed to move beyond the “guide” and “educate” elements in this situation. Why were they unable to find a reasonable solution for a well-liked and talented dog trainer? Why did it come to “dogcatchers” jumping fences unannounced? Why does the subject of this search warrant firmly believe he is being harassed by one ACO in particular?
The subject of this search warrant explains his side of the story and makes several points many dog owners in town will likely identify with. There’s no question animal control officers in general provide a necessary service for our town. But have certain personalities and egos caused situations to escalate unnecessarily? Are there times when certain individuals behave unfairly? Who’s responsible for overseeing these individuals and the unchecked power they apparently wield? For example, our police have a “professional standards” officer to look into complaints and concerns… Is there someone looking into the “professional standards” of our ACOs? Dog officers are now jumping fences and fining people, etc…. in some respects they have more unchecked powers then our local police officers.
HN has received numerous complaints and since the town and their ACOs have not offered any better explanations, many are inclined to believe at least one Animal Control officer has lost sight on the scope and intentions of his authority. There will be more on that later…
[NOTE: The only dog you hear barking in this video is my dog who was sitting in my truck… she wanted to get out and play with Augusto’s dogs and goats…]
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