Councilor Criticized for Dog Bite Response

A 13-year-old Marco Island girl was walking her five-month-old puppy on Saturday afternoon, December 7, when suddenly two dogs ran out of City Councilwoman Tamara Goehler’s front door and attacked the girl and her puppy, according to the girl’s mother, Julianne Jones. 

Jones addressed Marco Island City Council on Monday, saying she was still “shaken up” and disappointed in the response by Goehler, who was suspected of committing battery when police say in reports that Goehler touched the child dog bite victim without permission after also entering the Jones’ family home without permission, following the attack by Goehler’s two dogs 

“I’m not here for revenge. I’m here for justice,” said Jones, who describes herself as a faithful woman. 

The Jones family had declined to press charges, according to Marco Island Police reports.

Jones and the police officer said they did not recognize Goehler as a City Councilwoman at first.

“A blond female, later identified by her Florida Driver’s license as Tamara Goehler unlawfully barged in the house,” Marco Island Police Officer Adam Nelson wrote in the report.

Jones described Goehler’s response as an abuse of power and misuse of her position on Council. 

According to Jones’ report, both terrier-type dogs bit the child and the puppy, a petite golden doodle. A dog bit the child’s arm, according to Jones on Monday. The limping puppy received emergency veterinarian care in Naples, according to the report. 

Jones, 47, had called 911 for police and medical assistance after receiving the frantic call from her daughter that their puppy had been attacked and she asked her mom to come home. 

Her daughter had the puppy on a leash and she picked up the puppy when the dogs came at her, Jones said. 

“Her instinct was to pick up the puppy, and when she did, she was bitten on her forearm,” said Jones.

Jones was upset by Goehler’s response, she continued.

“Police and EMTs were awesome when they got there,” said Jones.

“Before I could say ‘come in,’ [Goehler] walked in my door,” Jones said of her Columbus Way home. 

“[Goehler’s] behavior was disrespectful and very arrogant,” said Jones.

Jones was shocked that Goehler never asked if the Jones’ were okay, she said. 

Goehler barged into her home, taking videos and pictures, said Jones. 

"Clearly to protect herself,” she added. 

Goehler later described the door to the Jones’ home as being open. The police report indicates Goehler, 58, had entered the Jones’ home without permission and returned to the front door multiple times after being asked to leave.

“She took my daughter’s arm and said, ‘It’s not a bite. It’s a scratch,’ which is offensive to my sensibility,” said Jones. 

“I would have loved if you’d have asked, ‘How are you?’” Jones said to Goehler during the Council meeting. “Or, ‘is there anything I can do for you?’” Jones said.

Police said Goehler was attempting to get the reports from police and EMS as they were being written. 

“She said that she was the owner of the dogs,” Nelson wrote. 

“I approached Tamara [Goehler] and said she couldn’t just barge into someone’s house and that I could talk to her outside,” Nelson continued in his report. 

“Once outside, Tamara [Goehler] asked if I knew who she was, at which time I told her I did not,” Nelson said.

Goehler stated she was a Marco Island City Councilwoman and was going to call Police Chief Tracy Frazzano, said Nelson.

As EMS was leaving, Goehler ran after the ambulance stating she wanted to get their report and see if they wrote that it “was an actual dog bite,” Nelson wrote. 

Goehler continued asking for Nelson’s name several times, saying she was calling Chief Frazzano, he reported.

Nelson assisted Jones in completing a “Domestic Animal Services Bite” form and sworn statement. 

Goehler came back to the Jones residence again, Nelson said. 

That’s when she grabbed the victim to examine the wound, he added. 

Goehler was then asked by the Jones family to leave the residence and she did. 

Goehler returned again, knocking on the door to the Jones’ home. Goehler asked to obtain a video of the dog “favoring its left front leg,” according to the police report. 

Goehler was no longer permitted in the house, but Jones would talk to her outside, which she did, said Nelson. 

When Jones and fiancé Robert Rodgers, 60, were asked if they wanted to press charges for battery committed by Goehler against the child, Jones said they did not wish to press charges, according to the report. 

The child declined transport to the hospital, police reported. Photographs of the child’s wounds were sent to DAS, Nelson reported. 

“I’m just saddened by the situation and the response to it,” said Jones. 

Acting Chairman Erik Brechnitz allowed Jones extra time to conclude her comments Monday.

Toward the end of the meeting, Goehler expressed regret.

“I am distraught and I’m very sad from what I just heard from my neighbor. And I’m so sorry if in any way I offended you,” Goehler said. 

“I love dogs and I love kids. I’m sorry all, for you had to witness this, such terrible comments,” Goehler said. “If there is anything I can do, please. I am truly sorry from the bottom of my heart,” she added. 

Councilwoman Deb Henry expressed her hope that the Jones family felt supported and respected by the City officials, including Council. 

“We take an oath and one is that we never take advantage of who we are as a councilor,” said Henry.