From her post below, it's clear that Bogota animal control has NO intentions of doing anything. I looked around and couldn't find any local (Bogota) laws regarding vicious dogs. The only thing I found was a link on their main page which lists their leash law and required tags. Really, nothing...
HOWEVER, if you go and look at New Jersey's state laws they have defined laws for vicious dogs that attack. What Fran needs to do is research these laws and then, armed with this information, go to the Mayor's office and demand that they charge this Pit Bull owner. Fran also needs to get the media involved; show them these photos of her little dog, show them the photos of her fiance's injuries, show them the applicable state laws -- and let them put public pressure on Bogota officials to DO THEIR JOBS.
If her fiance's injuries to his hand can qualify as "serious bodily injury", they can try to get the Pit Bull declared VICIOUS. Now what is the definition of "serious bodily injury"? Well, NJ defines it as:
2C:11-1.Definitions
b. "Serious bodily injury" means bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ;
Although injuries to hands may simply look like some bruising, stitches and swelling, there may be tendon damage. There may be loss of feeling. He may need multiple surgeries to correct the damage.
Think about how often you use your fingers in daily life - typing on your computer keyboard, texting on your phone, holding silverware, opening a jar of pickles, using scissors, gripping a steering wheel, playing piano or guitar, getting dressed and buttoning your shirt. A bite to a hand/fingers can be lifelong "impairment" as defined by the law.
So Fran's fiance needs to get the medical records and speak with their physician about how long-term damage her fiance's injuries are to his hand.
If it can be agreed that he suffered "serious bodily injury", they can pursue 4:19-22.
4:19-22. Dog declared vicious by municipal court; conditions
6. a. The municipal court shall declare the dog vicious if it finds by clear and convincing evidence that the dog:
(1) killed a person or caused serious bodily injury as defined in N.J.S.2C:11-1(b) to a person
Now let's say they determine his injuries don't qualify as "serious bodily injury" as defined by NJ laws. It is a fact that, at minimum, he suffered "bodily injury", which is defined as:
2C:11-1.Definitions
"Bodily injury" means physical pain, illness or any impairment of physical condition
Fran and her fiance can pursue getting the Pit Bull deemed POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS:
4:19-23 Dog declared potentially dangerous; conditions.
The municipal court shall declare a dog to be potentially dangerous if it finds by clear and convincing evidence that the dog:
(1) caused bodily injury as defined in N.J.S.2C:11-1(a) to a person during an unprovoked attack, and poses a serious threat of bodily injury or death to a person, or
(2) severely injured or killed another domestic animal, and
(a) poses a threat of serious bodily injury or death to a person; or
(b) poses a threat of death to another domestic animal.
Please, everyone, learn your local and state laws. Not all animal control officers are lazy, but some of them are. Others are ignorant of the own laws that they're tasked with enforcing. If something horrible like this happens, IT'S UP TO YOU TO ENSURE THAT JUSTICE IS DONE AND THE OWNER HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
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Fran Trahan posted on Facebook to Our Pets Were Attacked By Pit Bulls - BSL NOW · September 22, 2017 ·
My boy Woo woo was attacked by a pit bull in Bogota NJ. This happened on Good Friday. He thankfully made it and is alive. We have monthly bills from what happened to him and the irresponsible owners paid for some of the bills and then decided to stop.
He did survive after over 100 stitches, drainage tube, and sprained front leg and broken tear ducts. Hemorrhaged both eyes.
ONLINE PETITION:
NJ dog owners need to be held responsible for Dog Attacks
Woo Woo my rescue Lhasa Apso mix was attacked on Good Friday, April 2017. He was gravely attacked and thankfully pulled through. He was mauled by an off leash pit bull. The owner left his gate open and dog outside unattended. He was on top of the gate and we were at the next house when he grabbed my 15 pound dog by his neck.
It took us more than 6 minutes to get him off. My fiancé had 6 puncture wounds to his hand.
Our lives have totally changed since this attack.
We carry citronella sprays, never leave home without cell phones, sometimes even carry a metal bat. We also do not take our walks anymore. We go to the public park and if any dogs are they then we just go home. My fiancé Patrick and I do not walk ourselves anymore either. This all happened a week after our engagement party and we spent Easter at Oradell animal hospital.
The only thing NJ and Bogota does they have the attacker stay at the home with there family for 10 days. They also check the attacker with humans and NOT dogs then give it the OK. This can happen again at any time. ( While my dog had to be away from his home, his family, and stay at a hospital being stitched, with a drainage tube, and had both eyes hemorrhaged.
This was not our first encounter with this dog ( it was our 6th) just our first attack with him. Woo Woo has been attacked before in our town again with an unleashed dog.
I would like for the town and law enforcement to add higher fines and make laws against this. The fines are $50 off leash and you can do it every day same price never raises. I think it should be $50 $150 $250 $500 $1000. For attacks automatic $1000 and pay all medical costs. Also after an animal attacks it should be muzzled outdoors at all times.
I am now in debt with medical costs to no fault of my own and ongoing monthly costs for the rest of Woo Woo's life. I have now opened a Support group for Dogs owners that have been attacked on facebook - seems this is an epidemic. Laws need to be made and enforced. Hopefully Bogota will take a stand for the defenseless dogs. Everyone should feel safe on the streets that they live on.
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