James L. "Waldo" Walsh, 55, of 138 S. Franklin St., suffered severe injuries to both hands and arms that may require skin grafts. He also sustained bites on his upper body in the 3:45 p.m. attack.
Walsh, who fled through the front door and was flailing and bleeding profusely in the street, was rushed by AREA Services Ambulance to Geisinger, where he remained Thursday afternoon in serious condition, according to a hospital spokeswoman.
Walsh also was hospitalized March 23 after being bit in the left arm in his home by the pit bull.
State dog warden Rich Hine, of Schuylkill County, reportedly removed the dog from the residence Thursday morning, but its whereabouts or condition couldn't be obtained. Attempts to contact Hine were unsuccessful. Hine has been handling dog complaints for several months in Northumberland County, which currently does not have a state dog warden.
Walsh's girlfriend, Leann Dehoutaint, and two others - Dehoutaint's daughter, Amanda Hassinger, and her boyfriend, Michael Wasilewskie - remained inside during the attack.
The trio had contained the pit bull to the first floor and remained upstairs until rescue personnel arrived, helping them escape by ladder after crawling out a second-floor window.
While they descended the ladder, Patrolman Shane Mowery stood at the front door with shotgun in hand in case the pit bull was able to escape from the home. A "beware of dog" sign is posted on the front door.
Rich Jilinski II and Dave Britton of Liberty Fire Company and Charles Yohe and Bill Smoogen of Rescue Fire Company helped the trio leave the home.
The scene was cleared at about 4:30 p.m.
Mowery said Thursday no criminal charges will be filed against Walsh but he could face summary offenses for not having the dog properly licensed or vaccinated.
(News Item - April 17, 2014)
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