Medford City Councilman Eric Stark, right, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Medford Municipal Court of failing to control his dog, which attacked other canines so severely they required extensive medical care.

Medford City Councilman Eric Stark pleaded guilty Tuesday in Medford Municipal Court in two separate cases of failing to control his dog, which attacked other canines so severely they required extensive medical care.

Stark was charged with failure to control a dangerous dog after his canine, Dakota, an Alaskan malamute, attacked others in his neighborhood on July 23, 2022, and Oct. 15, 2022.

As part of Stark’s sentence, Judge pro tem Jen Zammetti ruled that Dakota would not be allowed in city limits, Stark will pay a fine of $500 for each incident, and he will engage in community service.

Stark did not say much during the hearing, but James Dole, a local lawyer prosecuting the case, told the court that “Mr. Stark has been cooperative” in coming to resolutions.

“We both believe this is a reasonable disposition of both cases,” said Dole, who spoke by phone in the court.

After the hearing, Stark said in an interview he acknowledges the incidents involving Dakota occurred and he has taken responsibility for them.

“I think (the sentence) was fair,” Stark said. “I feel Dakota, who is a family member, has a good home, and that’s what my entire intent was in this — to get Dakota to a proper home.”

He declined to say where Dakota had been re-homed, but he did say, “he will not be brought back to my house.”

“(Keeping Dakota) wasn’t in the best interest of our family, the neighborhood or Dakota,” Stark said in the interview.

To the victims — who were not in court Tuesday — Stark said in the interview he was sorry Dakota attacked their canines.

He went on to describe all of it as a “personal issue” and he hoped “it is not blown out into a larger issue.”

“We’re having to work through it, and the most important thing was finding Dakota a new home,” Stark said after the hearing.

When asked whether he could have handled the incidents differently, Stark responded, “Dakota was an escape artist.”

Neither attack was intentional, he said.

“People can make their own decision” about whether they can trust him as an elected official, Stark said.

Stark said he is unsure where he will participate in community service, although Zammetti suggested during the hearing it could be with Jackson County Animal Control, the Central Point-based Dogs For Better Lives, or the Southern Oregon Humane Society in Medford.

“I think it will be beneficial,” said Stark, who noted he already is a community volunteer. “I always learn from that experience and look forward to it.”

Medford resident Rosie Russell, whose dogs were attacked by Stark’s canine, was not able to attend Tuesday’s sentencing.

But in a telephone interview after the hearing, Russell noted that she was asked by Dole what she thought the appropriate sentence should be. They both agreed a fine was not enough and felt community service with an animal-oriented organization should be a component.

“I want him to be able to see what proper dog training and what a properly trained dog looks like,” Russell said.

Russell added that having Stark’s dog removed from the neighborhood is the best outcome for all.

“I’m grateful that he finally

re-homed the animal, like he said

he would do. That certainly makes

me feel much safer,” Russell said. “I hope that he really understands the impact that the ordeal had on his neighbors and all that we’ve gone through.”