Jogging singer bitten by neighbor's dog
Dangerous dog complaint - prosecution or euthanasia, By David Hulse SHOHOLA Pop singer Vanessa Carlton was bitten on her leg by a neighbor’s young pit bull while she jogged on a side road near her parents’ Walker Lake home. The extent of her injury could not be learned. According to the Associated Press, Carlton’s father, Ed, said his daughter is being treated with antibiotics. Following the May 2 incident, the Carltons contacted a state warden and lodged a Dangerous Dog Law complaint against the dog’s owner, Ben Teichberg. Under PA law, anyone “harboring a dangerous dog,” must either have the dog put down or apply to the state’s dangerous dog registry and comply with strict regulations in keeping the dog. Carlton’s mother, Heidi Carlton would not comment on the nature of the state complaint, but said she felt the dog is dangerous. “Would you want your daughter to run there?” she said. Teichberg, who owns two other dogs, said nine-month-old Bella was outside his Chris Road home with his other dogs. He says that Bella was drawn to movement - he said few joggers use the road - and pursued Carlton, disregarding the shock collar the dog wore which is triggered by crossing electrically charged wires buried on the property perimeter. He said his four daughters all adore Bella, and that the dog has never shown any aggressive signs. Two days after the incident, Teichberg said Ed Carlton and his daughter drove into Teichberg’s driveway and spoke to him. He said they “made it very clear that they are branding Bella as a dangerous animal and want her put to death! They said because Bella is a pit bull,” and “known to be bad.” “This was not a mauling! It was an excited puppy bite. That’s it! I’m telling you this because I can’t afford to fight this in court and I think since she is in the public eye, it’s only fair that this puppy gets a fair hand and not bullied into a death sentence since her owners aren’t famous,” Teichberg wrote in a statement to the Courier. Teichberg said as far as knew, no one witnessed the incident, but PA Regional Supervisor of Dog Law Enforcement Ellen Howarth said Carlton must have had one for the complaint. As the dog remained healthy at the end of 10-day quarantine, Howarth said that state will prosecute Carlton’s complaint. She said Tiechberg can contest it in magistrate’s court. She said state would pursue the complaint until a court finds for Teichberg or the dog is euthanized. “You can’t prosecute based on dead dog,” she said. If the complaint is upheld, she said Teichberg again has the choice of putting the dog down or making a $500 application to the state’s registry of dangerous dogs.
Requirements of PA Dangerous Dog Law
Anyone “harboring a dangerous dog” must have the dog euthanized or comply with state regulations including:
The owner must be make a $500 application and have the dog accepted on the PA Registry of Dangerous Dogs.
The owner must get surety bond in the amount of $50,000, payable to anyone injured by the dog.
The owner must have liability insurance, in the amount of at least $50,000, insuring the owner and the state against any personal injuries inflicted by the dog.
The dog must be neutered, kept in the home, or outdoors in a secure pen or structure
The dog is not permitted to be outside unless muzzled and restrained by a substantial chain or leash
A uniform dangerous dog identification tag must be attached to the dog’s collar.
The owner must conspicuously display at least two uniform dangerous dog warning signs.
The state has the right to conduct onsite inspections of the premises at least biannually.
Failure to comply with the law can cause revocation owner’s permit and euthanization of the dog.