City wants to stop the dog attacks

WILKES-BARRE – Mayor Tom Leighton said the city will do whatever it can to prevent dangerous dog attacks.

“The unfortunate incident that occurred on Monday, June 29, involving the mauling of a pet dog by vicious, off-the-leash dogs has undoubtedly distressed residents in the City of Wilkes-Barre and visitors to the River Common,” Leighton said in a prepared release. “Wild, uncontrollable dogs create unsafe environments and threaten those around them, including passersby, members of law enforcement and other animals.”

On Monday, a man said he was walking his small-breed pet through the Northampton Street portal when two dogs he described as pit bulls were running through River Street with two men chasing after them. The dogs attacked his dog, he said, resulting in injuries that resulted in the man having his pet euthanized.

“We can’t have these dangerous dogs walking in our parks and Farmers’ Market,” Leighton said. “I look forward to the state Legislature enacting a law to address this situation.”

Leighton said his administration takes the issue of dangerous dogs very seriously and he will continue to push for tougher regulations. He did not disclose any specific regulations that he is looking at. He said that once the state budget is passed he will go to Harrisburg to lobby legislators to change the law.

“I have listened to the public’s concerns and would like to assure everyone that the City of Wilkes-Barre and the Wilkes-Barre Police Department are doing everything we can – within the confines of Pennsylvania State law – to prevent and respond to dangerous dog attacks,” Leighton said.

Jim Brozena, executive director of the Luzerne County Flood Protection Authority, said Thursday that leashes are required to walk pets at the River Common park. He said the requirement has been clearly posted throughout the park since it opened June 19.

Under current state law, municipalities are limited in how they may regulate dangerous or vicious dogs. Leighton said his administration was unable to proceed with plans to ban pit bulls from the city in 2005 when a safety issue arose.

In 2005, Police Chief Gerry Dessoye agreed with Leighton in his quest to ban pit bulls. Dessoye said people were using them to keep police from doing their jobs. He said officers often encountered pit bulls in drug houses and that incidents of pit bulls attacking people throughout the city were much higher than any other breed.

At the time, Dessoye said he could remember at least five incidents when officers had to shoot pit bulls.

State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, said vicious dogs are like “lethal weapons” and owners must assume responsibility.

“If someone chooses to own a dog like that then they must control them,” Pashinski said. “We are talking about possible legislative measures to address the issue.”

Leighton said he will be discussing all possible options regarding future ordinances over the next week.

“Although we are prevented from creating ordinances that would greatly diminish the possibility that an incident similar to Monday’s would happen again, we are doing everything that we can to hold irresponsible dog owners accountable for the actions of their pets,” Leighton said.

“Currently, we are contacting our state legislators and urging them to consider legislation which would give municipalities like the City of Wilkes-Barre the power to enact and enforce dangerous dog ordinances. We are also reviewing our current permits and fines related to vicious dogs and intend to increase them.”

Leighton is asking the public to help prevent future incidents. He urged people to call 911 anytime they see a dog that is not on a leash so that Wilkes-Barre’s Police Department and Animal Enforcement Officer can respond accordingly.

He said people should stay away from unknown dogs and report any dangerous dog to 911.

“It is my hope that with support from our state representatives, cooperation from the public and aggressive policing, this will be a problem that we can solve together,” he said.

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Mayor supports legislation on vicious breeds following mauling by pit bulls in Wilkes-Barre earlier this week.

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