EAGLE GROVE — A dog put on notice by the City of Eagle Grove will now need to be kept in a fenced area or on a leash while outdoors after the City Council voted to uphold an order against him.

Lucas, a “cock-a-tzu” cocker spaniel and shih tzu mix owned by Nicole Nicoletti, had a dangerous animal order issued against him after an April 28 incident in which he left his yard and got into a physical altercation with other dogs and their owners, according to reports.

Authorities alleged that Lucas, who weighs about 30 pounds, bit two other dogs and their owners during the altercation.

Eagle Grove City Council voted unanimously Monday to uphold the protective measure after hearing an appeal filed by Nicoletti.

“The report filed with the Eagle Grove Police Department may be inaccurate in its description of how the situation occurred,” said Nicoletti in filing her appeal. “My dog was seriously injured and needed to seek immediate medical attention, therefore our statement as to what took place was not fully discussed or understood.”

She said that she wanted to present evidence that Lucas was not a “dangerous animal.”

City Administrator Bryce Davis said that a “Dangerous Animal Order” only means that an animal, due to a certain incident, has met the threshold per city ordinance to be further restricted. There is only one level of triggering that threshold.

Dogs subject to the order typically must be quarantined for 10 days by a veterinarian after a bite to ensure vaccinations and rabies shots are up to date, and that the dog is not in a vicious state, Davis said. Dogs have never been ordered to be euthanized by the City Council’s vote, Davis said.

“Our first and foremost priority is to ensure the animal is maintained in a safe and secure manner,” he said.

Common solutions to the order include going to obedience classes, using leashes or muzzles and ensuring the animal is always in a fenced area. Sometimes, the owner may need to purchase a different insurance policy with higher coverage limits.

Davis said the case with Lucas was not “drastic,” calling the situation fairly common.