Alvarez v. Ketchikan Gateway Borough

OPINION

STEWART, Judge.

Sonja Alvarez was convicted of violating two Ketchikan Gateway Borough ordinances for permitting her dog to run loose and bite a pedestrian, Larry Johnson. She was also convicted of failing to report this dog bite to the Borough Animal Protection Department.

After a bench trial, Superior Court Judge Michael A. Thompson, sitting in the district court, found that Alvarez had not been negligent in connection with her dog running loose and biting Johnson. Nevertheless, Judge Thompson convicted Alvarez of violating the two Borough ordinances, ruling that they were strict…