Elizabeth council hears of another dog attack

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

Problems with vicious dogs were brought up again at Tuesday’s council meeting in Elizabeth.

Resident Margaret Fleischauer said she and her small dog were attacked Aug. 8 when a dog broke through the fence in its yard. Fleischauer said she picked her dog up, but the much larger animal grabbed it out of her arms, causing injuries to her pet.

“If he hadn’t let him go, my dog would be dead now,” Fleischauer said

Fleischauer said the dog involved in the attack was not one of the pit bull terriers that have been discussed at previous meetings.

“The issue is, I’m traumatized when I go out my door. My dog’s probably handling it better than I am,” Fleischauer said.

Police Chief William Sombo said all appropriate citations have been issued and it’s now in the hands of the court.

“There’s no way for me to control other people’s dogs. I can only act after something has happened,” Sombo said. “We are doing what we can. Every time we have an incident, we do everything we can.”

Solicitor Krisha DiMascio said she is reviewing the current dog ordinance.

“It’s a good ordinance, but it probably needs stronger teeth. We’re clarifying it and making the penalties a little bit stiffer,” DiMascio said.

To read the rest of the story, please see a copy of Wednesday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com.