NEW JERSEY -- A pit bull attacked a woman in Belleville Saturday night, sending her to the hospital with facial injuries, according to police.
The attack occurred around 10:25 p.m. at 221 Fairway Ave. The victim had been talking to her neighbor as the dog, which was on a leash at the time, passed by. "As she turned to look at the dog, the dog lunged at her," said Belleville Police Chief Joseph Rotonda.
The dog struck the 50-year-old victim in the face, injuring her mouth and cutting her forehead, so much so that she required stitches. She was subsequently taken by Belleville emergency services to HackensackUMC Mountainside Hospital in Montclair and released Sunday morning.
Police did not release the victim's name; however two sources who did not want to be identified confirmed her name was Kathy Dalzell. She may have also said or mumbled something immediately before the attack, although that could not be confirmed.
She did not immediately return calls for comment.
"(The dog) has been involved to my knowledge in three or four other incidents," Rotonda said Tuesday afternoon.
Rotonda added that the dog has since been located, and the investigation has been forwarded to the Belleville Health Department.
Belleville Health Officer Colleen Britton said on Wednesday that the dog had been quarantined at a shelter in Newark, after having been picked up by a certified animal control officer from the Associated Humane Societies, which contracts with Belleville Township for its services. The Belleville Health Department itself is not authorized to go out and pick up dogs or cats that have bitten or scratched another animal or a human being.
"The only person who can confiscate (an animal) is a certified animal control officer," said Britton.
The goal is to have the animal in question quarantined, usually in its home, once the health department does get notice that it has bitten or scratched someone. This particular case was unique, in that severe injuries had been inflicted on the victim by the animal.
"We called the (Humane Society) and asked them to send an officer," said Britton.
She added that the owner agreed to have the animal put into quarantine, and that the dog's temperament will also be observed while it is at the shelter for a 10-day quarantine period that will end on Aug. 28.
There was initially some confusion as to the actual ownership of the dog. Britton related that it was apparently owned by someone else several weeks ago, when it bit another dog, and it was then given to a friend in Belleville before the attack that occurred on Saturday.
Whether the dog is returned to its owner or not is up to the AHS, the animal control officer, and the veterinarian involved in the case.
"It's not my call," said Britton of what happens to the animal. "They make the call."
The dog could potentially be returned to the owner with specific conditions, such as having the animal muzzled when it is out and about in public.
(NorthJersey - Aug 22, 2012)
