Pit bull which attacked and broke police officer's wrist MAY quietly be put up for adoption

NEW JERSEY -- The dog who bit a borough police officer is now in the hands of authorities — its fate unknown.

Lakeshia Robinson, the owner of the dog, which is part-pit bull, voluntarily surrendered the animal to Englishtown’s animal control officer, Englishtown Police Department Commanding Officer Lt. Peter S. Cooke said.

In exchange for handing over the dog, police agreed to not lodge any criminal charges against Robinson as a result of the animal’s attack on the officer, Cooke said.

“I do not know the fate of the animal, other than it may not be returned to the owner,” he said.

Multiple requests for comment in the matter went unreturned by animal control officer Jan Bilyk.

Borough officials initially said Robinson would have to fight for ownership of the pit bull in court.

The dog could have faced death, they said.

The move stems from a March 13 incident in which police suspected Robinson’s juvenile son of robbery and assault. The episode ended with several charges being filed against Robinson’s three children — one of whom was booked in the Monmouth County jail for assault on a police officer.

But the dog proved to be the most dangerous actor in the situation. As Patrolman First Class Alexander Dinicola attempted to control the animal, it bit him on the hand and left him with a broken wrist and several puncture wounds, according to police.

The attack placed Dinicola out of the workforce, on disability leave for about two months, police said.

“The officer has fully recovered and has returned to work,” Cooke said last week.

Prior to surrendering the dog, Robinson made a heartfelt plea to the Borough Council to spare the animal’s life. At that time, Mayor Thomas Reynolds and Borough Attorney Joseph Youssouf said the governing body had no say in the matter.

Robinson could not be reached for comment.

(News Transcript - June 23, 2014)