Former Prosecutor Euthanizes Dog After City Order
A Burlington woman secretly euthanized her dog following a city-mandated order issued in September due to repeated biting incidents.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Dogs
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Diane Wheeler, a former Franklin County deputy prosecutor, privately euthanized her 65-pound dog Moose after the Burlington Animal Control Committee ordered the animal to be put down. The committee issued the order following a three-year period of documented attacks on people and pets.
Why it matters
The decision follows a series of behavioral control violations, including an April 2026 incident where the dog bit attorney Betsy Hibbitts in the face. Wheeler bypassed municipal seizure by arranging private euthanasia without notifying Burlington Police.
The dog was a 65-pound brindle mix with a documented history of aggression spanning three years. Wheeler reportedly utilized fake dog statues and headrest coverings to obscure the animal's presence after the city issued the order.
The players
Diane Wheeler
She is a former deputy prosecutor in Franklin County who faced scrutiny for her handling of city-mandated animal control orders.
Betsy Hibbitts
She is an attorney who sustained a facial bite injury during an encounter with the dog in April 2026.
Burlington Animal Control Committee
This municipal body is responsible for overseeing pet behavior, issuing dangerous dog declarations, and managing safety enforcement in the city.
The details
Wheeler defied local regulations by bringing the animal to the New North End neighborhood and Hunt Middle School despite ongoing behavioral control mandates. After having the dog cremated shortly after the committee's September ruling, she failed to inform local authorities that the animal was no longer alive.
Timeline
Attacks occurred periodically between 2023 and 2026.
The dog bit attorney Betsy Hibbitts in April 2026.
The dog was seen off-leash at Hunt Middle School during the summer of 2026.
The Burlington Animal Control Committee issued the euthanization order in September 2026.
Culture Shift
The incident highlights the ongoing tension between private pet ownership and municipal public safety mandates in dense urban environments. It marks a departure from standard compliance, illustrating how individuals may attempt to use private resources to bypass the oversight of local animal control agencies.
Residents in the New North End and near Hunt Middle School are no longer at risk from this specific animal due to the completed euthanasia. Owners should remain aware that violating municipal behavioral control orders can lead to escalating legal consequences and city-mandated seizure.
The takeaway
Pet owners facing city behavioral orders are legally obligated to follow municipal seizure procedures rather than acting privately. Concealing an animal under a mandatory order can lead to significant complications with local law enforcement and city officials.
Further reading
For more information on local pet regulations, visit the Burlington Dogs section.
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Should pet owners be legally required to follow municipal animal control safety orders?
