PENNSYLVANIA -- Ruby Sue, a 50-pound Staffordshire terrier that mauled a New Berlin woman, was euthanized at the Lewisburg Animal Hospital on Monday, and with that move, the Department of Agriculture's dog warden has closed his investigation into the Oct. 21 attack, an agency spokeswoman said.
Documents provided by the Agriculture Department on Thursday show that dog warden Ken Snyder conducted an investigative visit and a follow-up phone call in the wake of the attack that left Frances Stover, 83, critically injured.
Stover was attacked by the dog when she went to the 600 Vine St. home to deliver a newspaper clipping. Stover said she saw a sign warning about the dog, but thought the sign was intended to encourage visitors to close the gate upon entering the yard.
After she entered the yard, the pit bull came charging through a dog door and attacked her, biting her more than 60 times until she was able to use a table to beat back the animal, allowing her to escape.
After conducting his visit on Oct. 24, three days after the attack, Snyder noted that the owners of the dog, Susan and William Stackhouse, had quarantined the animal at their home. Snyder also noted that the dog was properly licensed and had a current rabies shot.
Snyder's report indicates that he contacted the Stackhouses by phone and was told that the family was going to euthanize the dog after the quarantine period was over. The dog was euthanized Monday.
The department released the report almost two weeks after the attack, and six days after the newspaper first contacted the Department of Agriculture seeking information about its handling of the case.
Stover remains hospitalized at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. Thursday, she was listed in fair condition.
(The Daily Item - November 3, 2011)
