SHELBURNE — The dogs owned by Andrew and Kelly Nolan on Zerah Fiske Road must be confined to their home and be muzzled when outside until an appropriate fence is constructed in their yard, the Selectboard ordered this week following complaints from residents.

Animal Control Officer Kyle Dragon requested the Selectboard hold a dog hearing after he received four complaints about the Nolans’ dogs frightening passing bicyclists.

“Dog owners should not have general license to restrict or impede traffic in front of their houses,” said Selectboard member Andrew Baker. “Barring the way to pedestrians or cyclists from passing down a public road because your dog is out there being aggressive is not acceptable.”

Dragon received one complaint in January, two in July and one in August. All complaints followed a similar pattern where two dogs owned by the Nolans left their property and barked at cyclists on the road. The involved cyclists needed to use their bikes to separate themselves from the aggressive dogs. There were no instances of the dogs biting people and no injuries occurred from the encounters.

Dog hearing attendees also testified that they felt the owners did not act in an urgent manner when they found their dogs had left their property.

Two people involved in the incidents spoke, as well as neighbor Patricia Stevenson, who said she stopped walking down Zerah Fiske Road because she feels unsafe there.

The Nolans did not attend this week’s hearing.

“I am disappointed with the dog owners not attending this meeting to try and resolve this issue,” Baker said.

Bella Levavi can be reached at 413-930-4579 or blevavi@recorder.com.