PENNSYLVANIA -- Veronica Young's harrowing account of her father's attack by a pit bull mix during Monday night's Freeland Borough Council meeting shocked residents and prompted calls for increased ordinances against dangerous animals.
Young's father, Charles Solarek, 78, of 826 Ridge St., was mauled by the dog approximately two weeks ago.
According to Young, the dog jumped a 4-foot-high fence while Solarick was walking his dog in his backyard. Both Solarick and his dog were transported to local emergency facilities for multiple bite wounds and scratches. The dog lost half of its ear during the encounter.
Three days after the incident, Solarek's other dog was attacked by the same pit bull mix. That time the dog's owner removed the animal from Solarek's yard.
"I just want the community to be aware of dangerous dogs in the community. I would like to see an ordinance pertaining to dangerous animals," Young said.
Borough police Officer Matt Williams said the owner was cited for both incidents and that the state dog warden was made aware of the confrontations.
Williams also said if the animal is involved in another attack, the owners can then be charged with a misdemeanor.
"Three separate incidents become a misdemeanor," he said, adding that residents "have a right to defend" themselves and animals. When asked by residents whether that meant using lethal force, Williams said, "If the dog is attacking someone or another animal, you have every right to protect it."
Several council members, including President Robert Quinn and Dan Bobby, discussed tightening existing chronic nuisance ordinances to deal with vicious dogs.
(Standard Speaker - July 3, 2013)
