Alaska: Jin Bong So, who came to the USA more than 32 years ago, says he didn't know how to call animal control about a barking dog, so he shot it

ALASKA -- Anchorage school teacher Denise Rosales said that for weeks she couldn't figure out what exactly had caused small, bullet-like, bloody wounds on her 2-year-old Wheaten Terrier named Lenny.

"It was over a period of time. It wasn't just once that our dog had an injury and I didn't know what from," Rosales told an Anchorage judge in court last week. "I even asked my husband, 'I wonder if he got shot?'"

It turned out, Lenny had gotten shot while out in their backyard in a neighborhood near Lake Otis Parkway and East Dowling Road. Rosales' neighbor Jin Bong So admitted in court to firing his pellet gun at Lenny, a dog that he said barked nonstop.

Speaking in Korean and through an interpreter Wednesday, So said he lived in a duplex, between two barking dogs.

"My common sense told me, if a dog barked, (the) owner would stop the dog and would feel sorry about this," So said. "But it did not happen. I could not bear it any longer."

Rosales disputed her neighbor's account of Lenny's barking habits. She said she had never had any confrontations with her neighbors in the past about the family's dog.

On a day after the mysterious wounds had started to appear on Lenny's shoulders, Rosales said she was standing in her backyard looking at a bird on the fence when So came out and shot at it. She then realized that perhaps her neighbor had been firing at Lenny too, and called the police.

Lenny has lived through the injuries, Rosales said, but she told Judge Jennifer Henderson that the dog now cowers at any loud noise, "including bubble wrap, he's terrified of the pop sound."

She showed Henderson a 34-second video of her blond-haired dog hobbling in her home after being shot in the shoulder.

So was charged in September with three misdemeanors: animal cruelty, criminal mischief and unlawful use or possession of firearms. (Under city law, an air gun falls under the definition of a firearm, while under state law it does not). So pleaded no contest on Wednesday to all three charges.

His attorney, Chris Provost, told the judge that 69-year-old So, born and raised in Korea, moved to the United States, gained citizenship and had been a productive member of the community, working as a personal care provider and with only a charge of driving without a license on his record, from 32 years ago.

His attorney insisted that partially because of language and culture barriers, So "did not know" he could call animal control for help. He also insisted that So "did not know" that the pellet gun's projectiles would penetrate the dog's skin and "did not know" it was illegal to use a pellet gun within city limits.

I guess he also "did not know" he could walk over to his neighbor's house and ask them to keep their dog from barking so much?

"Had he known these community norms, it would have never come to this," Provost said. He said So was fired from his job because of the charges.

But city prosecutor Mike Shaffer asked the judge to send a strong message that So's actions were not acceptable and subject to consequences. Not only did So shoot a weapon within an Anchorage neighborhood but he did so to "deliberately shoot a defenseless dog," Shaffer said, both harming Rosales and endangering public safety.

"This wasn't a violent dog," he said. "This wasn't a vicious dog. This was a dog that the defendant felt was barking too much."

Judge Henderson ultimately found So guilty on all three charges. She sentenced him to 15 days in jail with more than 300 days suspended and three years probation. She fined him $1,500 and had him pay Lenny's vet bill of $250.80.

(ADN - Dec 12, 2016)

Owner leaves scene after pit bull attacks couple's dog

CANADA -- A local couple is looking for answers after they and their dog were attacked by a pit bull in Oliver’s dog park on October 27.

Colleen and Steve Holmes say a pit bull viciously attacked their dog Chloe, unprovoked, and that its owner did nothing to stop it. Even worse, the owner left with her dog after the incident without so much as a “sorry.”

Around 9:30 a.m. the Holmes brought Chloe, a two-year-old Wheaten Terrier, to the off-leash dog park (in the ball diamonds area).

According to Colleen, things took a nasty and frightening turn almost immediately.

She explained that when she and her husband arrived at the park they saw a middle-aged woman with dark hair and a pit bull at the far end. She didn’t think anything of it until she opened the gate to the park and the dog took off towards them, not barking or growling or snarling; just running. Fast.

Without hesitation it leapt at Chloe, digging its teeth into her face and head, nearly taking out her eye.

“He just grabbed her right away, right by the head—no warning, no nothing. It was pretty scary,” Colleen recalled.

That’s when Steve jumped in, grabbing the dog by the collar and ripping it away from Chloe. He doesn’t remember exactly how, but somewhere along the way he ended up with three puncture wounds in his forearm.

“I was really afraid for [Chloe] so I just reached in and when I reached across he kind of got me,” Steve said, demonstrating his actions with both hands. “I was able to pull him off, but he managed to get me.”

The couple said that as the attack was happening the dark-haired woman began screaming at them, swearing and berating them for not looking before they entered the park.

Steve said once he managed to separate the two dogs Colleen took Chloe back to the car, and he began approaching the woman, but she took her dog and left the park, not even checking to see if Chloe or the Holmes were okay.

Because she was too far away neither of them got a look at her face, and because they were still somewhat in shock they didn’t think to follow her or take down her licence plate number.

Now, the couple is left with more than $300 in vet bills for Chloe’s injuries and the knowledge that a dangerous dog is still “on the loose.”

“It’s kind of frustrating because we can’t identify this person,” Steve said.

Colleen said she has been talking with other dog park users and there is one pit bull at the park from time-to-time that has caused trouble on other occasions.

Almost anyone you talk to at the park seems to know of the dog, and vaguely recognize its owner,  but no one seems to know who they are or where they live.

On November 13 Marion and Gary Trimble were at the park with their dog. They say they had a run-in with an aggressive pit bull whose owner wouldn’t let them into the park until his dog was finished.

Another owner said he had seen the pit bull “playing way too hard” with some other dogs a while back, and that others have had “scary” run-ins with it.

Diane Vaykovich, Oliver’s corporate officer, confirmed someone did file a complaint of a dog attack within the last few weeks, but they did not leave their name or identify the victims or dog owner.

No other recent dog attacks have been reported, she said.

Carol Sheridan, manager of Oliver Parks and Recreation, said that while there have been a few dog attacks in the dog park over the years, her department hasn’t had any recent complaints.

She said there has been some attacks in the past few years, and that when it happens victims should report the attack to a bylaw officer.

It’s been more than two weeks since the Holmes were attacked, and Chloe is recovering nicely from her injuries. She had some drainage tubes, a cone and stitches for a while, but Colleen said aside from a few bare patches of fur you would hardly know she was recently attacked.

But Colleen is still a little shaken.

“It just stays with you,” she said. “I’m pretty nervous now when I’m walking. Anytime I see a dog loose I just about panic.”

She said she carries her camera around with her now, hoping to catch a glimpse of the dog owner so she can snap a picture and maybe have her brought to justice.

“I’ve got people looking too, most people in the park are looking for this lady. Because no one wants this to happen to their dog,” she said.

(Oliver Chronicle - Nov 20, 2015)

Dog dies after horrific pit bull attack

CANADA -- Two pit bulls are being held at the dog pound after attacking and killing another dog on New Year’s Day in Peachland.
 
The animals were running loose on Ponderosa Drive when they encountered Jeff Clarke as he was out walking his dog, Charley.

In a vicious attack lasting for several minutes, the pit bulls repeatedly bit Charley while Clarke and a neighbour frantically tried to separate the dogs.

“It was a horrible, brutal thing,” Clarke said Sunday. “The pit bulls were relentless. We were hitting and kicking them, but they weren’t letting go of Charley no matter what.”

  

Clarke only managed to end the attack, which happened in the middle of the road at 8:45 a.m., by laying on top of Charley, covering him from the pit bulls’ view.

Police, summoned by a passing motorist, sped Clarke and his dog to the Rose Valley animal hospital in West Kelowna.

“I was in the back seat holding Charley,” Clarke said. “I was telling him, ‘Hey, little buddy, all these lights and noise, it’s your very own parade. . . You’re going to be OK.’”

But one of the bites had punctured Charley’s lung, and a vet said there was no guarantee the dog, a 12-year-old Lhasa Apso-Wheaten Terrier cross would survive a long surgery or have a high quality of life afterward. So Clarke, 66, and his wife made the difficult decision to euthanize Charley.

For the Clarkes, it was a shocking and deeply upsetting experience. New Year’s Day was the first day of Clarke’s retirement, after a long career in the plumbing business.

He suffered a broken hand, along with several cuts and abrasions, trying to get the pit bulls off his dog.

“I haven’t slept much since this happened,” he said. “I feel bad I wasn’t able to save Charley.”

Police discovered the pit bulls are owned by a person who was visiting Peachland for a New Year’s Eve party. The pit bulls somehow got out of the house on New Year’s Day morning.

The owner voluntarily surrendered the pit bulls to dog control officers. The animals will be held in the pound for a minimum 21 days, during which time the owner will have to decide whether to allow the animals to be euthanized or try to regain them through legal action.

Clarke has little doubt what should happen.

“I think they should be put down,” he said. “And I never want to see another pit bull again in my life.”

(The Daily Courier - Jan 4, 2015)

Eight abandoned dogs rescued from San Francisco home

CALIFORNIA -- San Francisco Animal Care & Control rescued eight abandoned dogs in a state of serious neglect from an Outer Mission home on Wednesday.

The two Chihuahuas and six Tibetan and Wheaton terrier mixes had been left in the home after the residents were evicted, according to Capt. Denise BonGiovanni.

 

 

The dogs had not received proper care for a long period of time and suffered from malnutrition, hair loss, overgrown nails, parasites and skin conditions, according to the Department of Animal Care & Control.

One dog was transferred to an emergency veterinary hospital for overnight care, the department said.
"We were alerted by a real estate agent," BonGiovanni said.

The department knows the identity of the home's former occupants but hasn't yet been in contact with them, BonGiovanni said. The dogs' former guardians could face criminal charges for abandonment and neglect, according to the department.

The dogs will likely become available for adoption after they convalesce.

Residents who suspect animal abuse or neglect can report it to the Animal Care & Control's emergency line at (415) 554-9400.

"The community members are our eyes and ears," BonGiovanni said in a statement. "I urge anyone who suspects that an animal is being neglected or abused to contact our agency so that we may investigate."

(KTVU - Sept 19, 2014)

Breeder who had 90 dogs taken from her pleads to ONE count and gets probation

MICHIGAN -- A Howell Township woman described as a puppy mill operator was sentenced today in Livingston County Circuit Court.

Margaret Elaine Komorny was sentenced to five years probation for animal cruelty. The judge ordered that she also not own any animals and that she possess none either on her property or under her control, but held at another location.

"There's no way there's going to be animals there," Judge Michael P. Hatty said, also warning Komorny that if she violates that term she will go to jail.

Her defense attorney said the defendant has sick horses on her property and she is planning to humanely euthanize them.

Hatty also sentenced Komorny, 76, to 60 days in jail, but that is held in abeyance.

If Komorny is successful on probation, her felony conviction will be reduced to a misdemeanor.

Komorny's attorney said his client is expected to go to Ingham County today to turn herself in on an outstanding warrant alleging animal cruelty to dogs found in a kennel in that area. Authorities previously dismissed multiple counts against Komorny alleging she had animals at large.

The woman pleaded guilty as charged to animal cruelty for failing to provide adequate care to 91 dogs and puppies at her farm.

Komorny's plea was entered as a predispositional investigation, which means if she did not like the sentence a judge imposes, she could withdraw her plea.

The woman, who was breeding whoodles, which are a mix of a wheaten terrier and poodle, had denied the allegations in prior interviews with the Daily Press & Argus.

Authorities seized 91 dogs and puppies — two later died from their medical conditions — from Komorny’s farm on May 14 after complaints of animal neglect.

The Puppy Mill Awareness of Southeast Michigan is expected to present the Livingston County Animal Control staff a Puppy Mill Awareness Leadership Award at the county animal shelter at 418 S. Highlander Way in Howell.

(Livingston Daily - July 17, 2014)

Earlier:

• Owner of suspected puppy mill charged with animal cruelty
• Alleged puppy mill operator disputes county's allegations

Owner of suspected puppy mill charged with animal cruelty

MICHIGAN -- A Howell Township woman is facing animal cruelty charges after being formally charged Thursday morning, according to a report in the Livingston Daily.

Margaret Elaine Komorny

Margaret Elaine Komorny was charged with animal cruelty to 10 or more animals, according to the report. Animal control officers say Komorny did not provide adequate care to about 90 dogs living in unsanitary conditions on her property.

The dogs were all seized by animal control officers in Livingston County.

Komorny denies the charges, and has called her business a kennel, according to the report.

 



As a part of her bond, she is no longer allowed to obtain new animals but can continue caring for the horses on her farm and two stray cats that live near her home, the report stated.

(The Ann Arbor News - May 30, 2014)

Earlier:

• Alleged puppy mill operator disputes county's allegations

Alleged puppy mill operator disputes county's allegations

MICHIGAN -- A Howell Township woman  accused of operating a puppy mill disputes that the estimated 90 dogs and puppies seized by Livingston County Animal Control on Wednesday were living in unsanitary conditions in cages.

 

In seeking charges against Margaret Elaine Komorny, an Animal Control officer told the magistrate Thursday that she found about 90 dogs and 20-21 cats “living in poor living conditions,” including overcrowded cages stacked on top of each other, feces and urine-soaked cages. The animals lacked veterinary care for medical issues, including one with a “busted eardrum,” the Animal Control officer said.

 

 

“A busted eardrum? Was that an older dog? I’m totally unaware of all that, I really am,” said Komorny, who owns and operates Raisin Tree Farm on Suntar Valley Drive. “I would have to have my own veterinarian have access to what they’re talking about. ...

“They were not kept in overcrowded cages. They weren’t even kept in cages all the time. They were in play areas,” the 76-year-old Komorny added. “These dogs actually got to go outside. ... They were not soaked, and they were not dirty; they were not. I have people here every day who are cleaning them, washing them and feeding them three times a day.”

The prosecutor’s office has charged Komorny with  animal cruelty to 10 or more animals, which carries a penalty of up to four years in prison, “arising out of circumstances” at her farm in April.
Arraignment is expected to occur May 29 in Livingston County District Court in Howell.

 

Prosecutor William Vailliencourt said his office has not yet received any additional reports relating to the seizure Wednesday. He did not speculate whether additional charges would be issued.

Ingham County Animal Control authorities also recently seized 15 dogs Komorny said she boarded at a kennel. She said she does not know why authorities took those dogs.

It was not immediately known if Komorny faced charges in Ingham County.

The Livingston County Sheriff’s Department served a search warrant on Komorny’s farm, where it found large-breed dogs and puppies — mainly poodle mixes — living in substandard conditions, said Kaitlin Sanderson, public information officer with the U.S. Humane Society.

 

 

 

Their fur was “extremely matted” and they were suffering from a multitude of untreated medical conditions, including dental and eye problems. These dogs were allegedly being sold online, Sanderson said.

Debbie Oberle, Livingston County Animal Control director, said the dogs also included schnauzers and wheaten terriers. The animals ranged in age from 4 weeks or 5 weeks to 5 years or 6 years.

“We are concerned about the overcrowding and the condition of the dogs on the property,” Oberle said.

 

Komorny said Animal Control officers told her during a previous visit that they “did not want the dogs on top of each other, just single on the floor.” She said she fixed that issue as well as other issues the officers mentioned.

Komorny denied that she was operating a puppy mill, calling her farm a “kennel.”

“Puppy mills, normally, they are raised on wire and they’re stacked up on cages to the ceiling and they’re outdoors,” she explained. “A kennel is totally different than a puppy mill. Mine is a kennel.”

Bob Smith, who said he worked for Komorny since April, said Komorny had employees who regularly cleaned the dogs’ areas. He said Animal Control officers, however, came out Wednesday morning prior to the normal day’s cleaning and as a result saw feces and urine that is normal with any animal.

Animal Control officials sought assistance from the U.S. Humane Society in rescuing the animals after increased concern about the welfare of the dogs came to light through multiple reports and visiting the property.

 

The animals were safely transported to a temporary shelter, where they will be thoroughly examined by teams of veterinarians and receive any necessary immediate medical treatment, officials said.

“It is heartbreaking to see these animals living in these conditions,” said Jill Fritz, Michigan senior state director for the Humane Society. “If we had strong state laws regulating these large-scale dog-breeding operations, we could put a stop to this unimaginable suffering.”

There are no specific laws in Michigan to protect dogs in large-scale commercial breeding operations. However, Senate Bill 560, which would enact registration, licensing and standards for these facilities, is pending in the Legislature.

 

 

Komorny, who said Animal Control also took her two longtime pets, said she has had animals for more than 50 years and has “never had a problem” until the recent issues with Livingston and Ingham counties.

“I love animals. I’m devoted to animals,” she said. “This is not a description or definition of who I am or how I care for my animals. I’m worried for my animals. ...

“We had a lot of puppies, and a lot of them are sold. We really need to get them to their owners,” Komorny added. “They are already sold. ... We had someone drive in from Canada to get their puppy.”

(Livingston Daily - May 16, 2014)

New Pitbull Attacks in Waterloo

IOWA -- Three dogs described as pit bulls attacked a 79-year-old man and his dog in in Waterloo, continuing a string of such attacks in the city.

The attack happened Wednesday while Bill Winder, of Waterloo, was walking in George Wyth State Park with his dog, Snickers.

Winder says three pit bulls attacked Snickers, a 50-pound Wheaton terrier.

While Winders tried to pull the dogs off, two women who appeared to own the dogs grabbed them and put them in a car. They refused to identify themselves and left.

Winder received 14 puncture wounds and his dog had severe bites to its neck.

Police say they haven't located the women.

After a rash of pit bull attacks, Waterloo officials are considering strengthening the city's animal ordinance.

(cbs2iowa - Sept 19, 2013)

Allentown couple sue over dog attack that left woman with serious injuries

PENNSYLVANIA -- Two Allentown residents are suing their neighbors over a March 2012 dog attack that left one of them with serious injuries, according to a Lehigh County lawsuit filed Thursday.

Brenda L. Fernandez de Cordova was leash-walking a friend's Wheaten Terrier on March 20, 2012, on East Clair Street in Allentown when an American Bulldog-pit bull mix attacked both of them, the suit says.

Fernandez de Cordova and her husband, Julio Fernandez de Cordova, both of the 500 block of North Fenwick Street, are suing the bulldog-pit bull mix's owners, Jamil and Ibtissan Hanna, for damages in excess of $50,000.

The attack resulted in summary charges against Jamil Hanna and District Judge Michael D'Amore on Nov. 30 found him guilty of harboring a dangerous dog and confinement of dogs, court records say.

The suit, filed by attorney Thomas Newell, says the Hannas, of the 700 block of East Liberty Street in Allentown, were negligent and careless in their failure to properly restrain and supervise the dog, which has a history of aggressive behavior.

Reached by phone this afternoon, Ibtissan Hanna said the Fernandez de Cordovas' accusations are false, but declined further comment until after she spoke with husband Jamil Hanna, who was not home.

The bulldog-pit bull mix was running loose and unsupervised when it bit the terrier's rear end and then its neck, the suit says. The bulldog-pit bull mix turned on Brenda Fernandez de Cordova, biting her hands multiple times when she moved to defend the terrier, the suit says.

The bulldog-pit bull mix bit Fernandez de Cordova's left hand eight times and her right hand three times, the suit says, requiring a tetanus shot and additional medical treatment for swelling and infection.

The injuries have left Fernandez de Cordova with permanent scarring, as well as numbness, tingling, diminished range of motion and diminished strength that could prove permanent, the suit says. She suffered psychological trauma because the Hannas were slow to supply law enforcement authorities with proof that their dog was inoculated for rabies, the suit says, and has difficulty sleeping due to nightmares about the attack.

Fernandez de Cordova incurred expenses for medical care after the attack and may require additional medical care in the future, the suit says. She's also suffered lost wages and a depreciation in her earning capacity that could continue indefinitely, the suit says.

The suit says the Hannas were aware their bulldog-pit bull mix is aggressive toward people and other animals, but failed to curb that behavior or ensure the dog did not escape a fence on their property.

The bulldog-pit bull mix allegedly attacked a woman and her leashed, small dog on June 14, 2010, as they walked past the Hannas' home.

Several times before the March 2012 attack, the bulldog-pit bull mix got loose and attacked a neighborhood dog that was confined to its owner's property, the suit says.

(Express-Times - April 1, 2013)

Miracle dogs rescued from hole in woods

UNITED KINGDOM -- A mother from Guildford has said it was a miracle that her two dogs were rescued after they went missing underground in a wood on Christmas eve.

Jane Adams has praised the ‘exceptional teamwork’ and ‘outstanding leadership’ of the ten Guildford firemen who helped to dig out two of her wheaten terriers, Nellie, and her mother, Bessie.

Mrs Adams said her husband was walking the pair and Bessie’s son, Scuby, in the Chantry Woods in the morning. “He had not been very long when he phoned to say two of the dogs had gone missing,” she said.

“I then joined him and we were walking around the woods for some hours looking for them. Nobody had seen them anywhere and we were getting very concerned.”

Later in the day Mrs Adams was told by another dog owner that they should be listening to the ground for them in case they had gone down a woodland animal’s burrow.

“By that time it was late in the afternoon,” she said. “That is when we heard something. There were various holes in the woods, and fortunately we had gone to the right hole.”

While looking for her dogs, Mrs Adams also had to go back and forth to Holy Trinity Church, where her two daughters, Lottie and Summer, were singing in the girls choir.

“I told my daughters to pray for a miracle,” Mrs Adams said. “We had no idea where the dogs were.”

She and her husband started digging with spades in the woods, and after thinking it would be impossible to find the hounds, they decided to call the fire brigade.

The crew were called to the scene at 5.30pm and spent around six and half hours digging until eventually the dogs were found and reunited with their owners.

Mrs Adams said her pets must have been five to six feet underground. When they came out they appeared unfazed by the experience and simply shook themselves off as they were caked in mud.

“It was probably the worst Christmas eve ever, but the best Christmas present we could ever ask for,” Mrs Adams said. “It would have been awful to come back on Christmas morning saying we haven’t got them. It was a real ordeal.”

“I always had hope that we would find them. I never gave up hope.”

The family will still take the dogs to the Chantry Woods, but will be keeping them on a lead for the time being to avoid a repeat situation.

Mrs Adam wanted to thank the firemen from the White Watch who were on duty that evening.

“They worked extremely hard," she added. “I know it is their job, but you really felt they worked exceptionally hard to find them."

(Get Surrey - Jan 4, 2013)

Woman left needing around 100 stitches after horrific dog attack

UNITED KINGDOM -- A woman who was attacked by a vicious dog in the street was so badly injured she needed skin grafts and 100 stitches.

Corinne Brennan, 59, was savaged by a husky-type dog which sunk its teeth into her arm as she took her pet terrier for a walk in Coventry.

The 59-year-old legal secretary needed surgery and spent three days in hospital after the horrific attack.

Corinne told how she was walking her five-year-old Wheaten terrier Marty in Daventry Road, Cheylesmore, when she suddenly felt her arm being pulled.

When she looked down a chunk of flesh was missing from her forearm and the injury was so severe she could see her bone.

She was taken to University Hospital where she was whisked into surgery.

Police launched an investigation into the incident, which took place near the junction with The Mount.

So far they have been unable to trace the dog behind the attack - a white and ginger husky type - or its owners.

Corinne is desperate for the dog to be found so no-one else is subjected to a similar attack.

She said: “I’m an avid animal lover - I always give to animal charities and I think some have a really rough time of it.

“I’ve always had rescue dogs and I’m the last person in the world to say that an animal should be put down.

“But if Marty had been on my right hand side when this had happened she wouldn’t be here right now.

“And If I had a toddler with me who knows what might have happened. It doesn’t bear thinking about, it could have ripped an arm off. I want this dog caught. If I heard that a similar dog had hurt a child and I hadn’t done all I could I would feel terrible.”

Corinne, who lives in Daventry Road, had popped home on her lunch break to walk Marty when she was attacked.

Now she could be off work until well into next year.

She had more hospital appointments over Christmas had called on a friend to cook dinner because she was too badly injured.

Problems with her skin graft mean that even now Corinne could face further surgery in the new year.

The injury is expected to leave significant scarring.

Since the attack on December 3 at 1.35pm she has been unable to leave the house, apart from visiting the hospital.

Corinne, 59, said: “I’ve no idea why it went for me. There was nothing to suggest what was coming.

“Marty had a little growl - maybe she had a suspicion that something bad was about to happen. “I felt my arm being pulled and when the dog let go I just looked at it.

“There was this huge hole between my wrist and elbow. It just looked absolutely horrendous.”

A nearby witness said the men walking the dog were both Asian and well dressed. They were seen running off in the direction of Courtleet Road.

West Midlands Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed that attack or who knows who the owners of the dog may be to come forward and speak to them.

(Coventry Telegraph - Dec 27 2012)

Allentown Bulldog Owner Cited for Harboring a Dangerous Dog

PENNSYLVANIA -- On Sept. 4, 2012, an Allentown PA bulldog owner was cited for harboring a dangerous dog in violation of the PA Dog Law.

Tom Harper, Sweep and Animal Control Manager of Allentown filed the charges with District Justice Michael D’Amore. The defendant’s hearing will take place on October 2, 2012 at 10:45 a.m.

The Allentown dog bite victim was walking a friend’s Wheaten Terrier on March 20, 2012 on East Clair Street. She was using a leash and had the dog totally restrained. The defendant’s American Bulldog was running loose, bit the terrier from behind and then placed its teeth around the terrier’s neck.

The 45 year-old woman kicked the bulldog to try to stop its attack on the terrier. The bulldog then attacked the woman. She put up her hands to protect her face. The Allentown PA resident sustained 8 dog bite wounds to her right hand. She received medical care at Sacred Heart Hospital with those medical bills alone totalling nearly $8,000.00.

(Newell Law - Sept 7, 2012)

Firefighters rescue dog who chased raccoon 30 feet up tree

CALIFORNIA -- When a call came in last week to a San Mateo County emergency dispatch center that a dog had climbed 30 feet up a tree in Atherton and couldn’t get down, no one believed it.

Menlo Park Fire Protection District Fire Chief Harold Schapelhouman said that in his 32 years of service, he’s rescued plenty of cats that were stuck in trees, and even some exotic pet birds, but never a dog.

“The dispatchers thought, ‘Whoever it is must be wrong,’” Schapelhouman said. “I’ve never seen or heard of a dog that could climb a tree.”

On June 19 at about 9 p.m., a 40-pound Wheaten Terrier named “Guinness” pursued a raccoon high into the branches of an oak tree. Guinness got stuck, and his owner climbed the tree but couldn’t reach him.

When firefighters arrived, the dog was suspended in branches hanging over a drainage channel, Schapelhouman said.

Firefighters used an improvised rescue harness, a rope system and a 36-foot ladder to reach Guinness, who was frozen in place, nervous and shaking.

Firefighter Tony Eggimann climbed the ladder, secured Guinness in his harness and gave him a treat, Schapelhouman said.

The dog was safely carried down and reunited with his grateful owners.

[Hope the raccoon was ok...]

Schapelhouman, who said he has had decades of experience working with highly trained search-and-rescue dogs, said he has never seen a canine scale a tree like Guinness.

“It’s unbelievable,” he said. “That dog could really climb.”

Guinness’ owners have since put a fence around the tree.

(Bay City News Service - June 28, 2012)

Mount Vernon Man Hospitalized After Brutal Dog Attack

NEW YORK -- When Maureen Martin looked out from her second-floor apartment on Wednesday night, she saw a pack of dogs attacking her neighbor.

“Another big dog came and they just threw him on the floor and they were eating the guy,” Martin said.

Police said two Rottweiler’s and a Wheaton terrier mix attacked Craig Jones as he walked along East 4th Street around 9:30 p.m.

As CBS 2′s Lou Young reports, Jones, a 38-year-old electrician, was returning returning home from the grocery store when the dog pack struck. His most serious injuries are too gruesome for television.

“I saw three huge dogs on top of him and he was just screaming. He was already bloody. His leg was being ripped open,” witness Dee Dee Smith said.

The victim was just trying to get to his front door but the dogs kept attacking. They brought him down, chewed him up and began dragging him back toward the street. Horrified neighbors alerted by his screams began throwing things out the window. A brick finally hit one of the dogs and seemed to break the spell.

“I was right there hanging out of my living room window and I about fell out. That’s how close to him. I’m still scared. I don’t even want to go grocery shopping today I’m so scared,” Smith said.

Responding Mount Vernon Police officers shot and killed one of the animals and captured another. Witnesses said the third dog got away.

“That could have been my baby. That could have been anyone. I’m very upset about it,” neighbor Joan Murray said.

Police told Young the dogs escaped from an auto body shop. Two of the same animals were involved in the August dog pack killing of neighbors’ pet Yorkie.

That dog’s owner said Wednesday night’s attack could’ve been prevented.

“They should’ve been put down most definitely. Something should’ve been done and I had a feeling something like this was gonna happen again,” Eric Coleman said.

“I still hurt from losing that dog. This should not have happened. This could have been avoided,” Deana Young told 1010 WINS’ Maloney.

Deana Young blames the city of Mount Vernon for not doing anything.

“You cannot have a pack of dogs like that and not expect something like this to happen,” Deana Young said.

A police spokesman said after the August attack the dogs were returned to the owner by court order. So far no formal charges have been filed, but the animal remains in quarantine at the animal shelter.

The dogs’ owner was not at the auto body shop when the animals escaped, police said. An employee apparently left a gate open.

Medical officials transported Jones to Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx where he was treated for serious injuries to his head and legs. He was listed in stable condition.

“He had some pretty significant injuries to his leg area as well as his head,” Police Capt. Edward Adinaro said.

(CBSLocal - Jan 6, 2011)