A July 24, 2014 article in the York Daily Record discussed a recent dog attack just outside of the City of York.  A man and his grandson were walking their Yorkshire Terrier on a leash. A woman was walking her leashed 2 pit bulls.  Without any warning, one of the pit bulls attacked the Yorkie and had it in its jaws.

The Yorkshire Terrier owner punched the pit bull multiple times before it released its grip.  The Yorkie was rushed to an emergency animal hospital. The terrier suffered w/ broken ribs, a collapsed lung and possibly a punctured liver as a result of this York County dog attack.

Springettsbury Township Police Chief Thomas Hyers claimed that no crime was committed because all of the dogs were leashed, licensed and “the owners allowed the dogs to approach each other.”  Unfortunately, it is the opinion of your PA dog attack lawyer that the police chief got it all wrong.

Section 502-A of the PA Dog Law is the “harboring a dangerous dog” statute.  A dog owner is guilty of the offense if their dog inflicts serious injury on another dog without provocation while off the defendant dog owner’s property.

There is no defense to the crime under the statute based upon the dog being on a leash.  Attorney Newell hopes the case is re-opened and appropriate charges brought.  Injured in a dog attack? Call Thomas J. Newell, Esq. at 1-800-980-4842 for a free HOME consultation.   Visit his website: www.PADogAttackLawyer.com.  Follow Attorney Newell on Twitter @ www.twitter.com/DogAttackLawyer