WEST NEWBURY — Selectmen have ordered an American bulldog named Striker out of town after he was recently found roaming on Middle Street at night by the Animal Control officer.

The board also agreed to keep a $2,000 bond posted by owners Leo and Louisa Periera, 21 Montclair Road. The Perieras posted the bond as a condition for release of Striker from the pound in May 2008.

Selectmen will insist the owners pay to have the dog licensed and vaccinated and provide information on where the dog will now reside. It is important to let officials from the new town know that this dog is moving into their community, Selectman Glenn Kemper said.

At a hearing in March 2008, selectmen ordered the Perieras to keep Striker leashed at all times and to put up a fence to contain the dog when outside, after a neighbor reported several incidences of the dog running loose on her property and behaving aggressively toward her and her horse.

When the dog was again found off leash in May, selectmen required the owners to post the $¼2,000 bond before the dog could be released from the pound.

According to selectmen Chairman Albert Knowles Jr., animal control officer Madelyn Cirinna reported the dog was now being held at Water's Edge Veterinary Hospital. He was not licensed, and his rabies vaccination had expired.

"The alternative is to have the dog put down," Knowles said. But Kemper said he wasn't ready to take that step, since the dog had not been vicious or attacked anyone in this most recent incident.

"I would not return the dog to the family," Selectman Dick Cushing said. The agreement to put up a fence and keep the dog vaccinated and licensed had not been met, he said, noting that there are small children living in that neighborhood.

Cushing said that the owners must be made to understand that if the dog returns to town now for any reason, the animal will face "the most severe repercussions."

"We've tried to work with them," Kemper said.