PENNSYLVANIA -- Police cited a McKeesport woman with harboring a dangerous dog and other animal violations days after her husky mauled her 2-day-old baby to death.
McKeesport police charged Brandy Furlong, 21, on Monday, said police Capt. Timothy Hanna. She also is charged with four counts of not having her animals vaccinated against rabies and four counts of not having her dogs properly licensed, he said. She previously has been cited for failing to license, vaccinate and leash her dogs.
Furlong was in her Scott Street home on Thursday when she placed a baby seat containing her newborn son, Howard Nicholson Jr., on the living room floor. Minutes later, she heard the child screaming and ran in to see the child covered in blood and the dog hovering over it.
The infant died about 90 minutes later at Children's Hospital of severe head trauma.
Officials removed the husky and a pit bull from the home. The pit bull was in the living room at the time of the attack, but police do not believe it was involved. Two other pit bulls were kept in the basement.
The husky was treated at a local vet for a broken leg it suffered earlier this month that was not properly treated at the time, said Ken Ferree, who owns Ferree Kennels and contracts with the city of McKeesport for animal control services.
The husky had not been euthanized, Hanna said. Furlong and her boyfriend, Howard Nicholson Sr., 26, have custody of the two pit bulls that were in the basement, but it wasn't known yesterday where the third pit bull is.
Furlong could not be reached for comment. Her home was dark last night and no one came to the door.
(Pittsburghlive.com - Feb 22, 2012)
