PENNSYLVANIA -- A pit bull that killed a cat Friday afternoon in the 1000 block of West Montgomery Street has been returned to its original owner, who does not live in Coal Township.
Meanwhile, a neighbor who shot at the dog in an attempt to save the cat, chase it away and prevent residents from being harmed, has been cleared of any wrongdoing.
Coal Township Police Chief William Carpenter said state dog enforcement officer Allen Fegley informed him Monday that the brown pit bull that killed a 3-year-old cat owned by Richard Dilliplane, of 1033 W. Montgomery St., has been returned to its original owner, whose identity and hometown have not been revealed.
"The state dog enforcement officer told me the dog is no longer in Coal Township," Carpenter said. "That's about all I know."
Efforts to reach Fegley at his Sunbury office were unsuccessful Monday afternoon.
Neighbors said Nick Graboskie, of 1025 W. Montgomery St., initially used a pellet gun in an attempt to scare the dog off, but after that didn't work, he retrieved a handgun and fired at the dog. Neighbors said they didn't know if the dog was struck.
Graboskie's handgun was confiscated by police, but Patrolman Matthew Hashuga, who investigated the incident, said Graboskie will not be charged.
"Mr. Graboskie was just trying to save the cat and prevent people from getting injured," Carpenter said. "He discharged the firearm near a grassy area where nobody was standing and away from any buildings. We don't feel he did anything wrong."
Tim Neary, of 1028 W. Montgomery St., who hit the dog over the head with the flat end of an ax in an attempt to save the cat, also will not be charged.
Kristine Raser, 27, of 949 W. Montgomery St., Coal Township, the owner of the pit bull at the time it killed the cat on Dilliplane's front porch, will be cited by Hashuga for allowing the canine to run at large.
The unprovoked attack, which was reported to police at 12:05 p.m., scared and outraged the cat's owner and neighbors, who had to wait until Monday for the dog to be removed from its home a block away.
After mauling the cat, the dog fled from the porch with the cat's remains toward a wooded area south of West Fern Street.
The cat was never found and is believed to have been eaten by the dog.
(newsitem - October 2, 2012)
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