D'Entremont v. Melchionna

This appeal is predicated on the dismissal of a complaint for civil contempt filed by Members of the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Burlington (“Town”) to remedy Gerard D’Entremont’s (“D’Entremont”) refusal to comply with a G.L. c.140, § 157 court order to deliver his dog to the Town for destruction.

Administrative and judicial proceedings against D’Entremont originated in 1985 after a child was attacked and mauled by D’Entremont’s dog, “Baron.” In December, 1985, Town Selectmen ordered that the dog be turned over to the Town and destroyed. On January 17,1986, D’Entremont filed in the…