Police Action Pending after Dog Bite

by Jonathan Weaver

In about a week, the family of the child bit by a dog on Johnston Avenue will learn what charges are proper against its owner.

According to the Kittanning Borough Police report recounted by Chief Bruce Mathews, a juvenile was bit within the household Friday, August 2, with the incident being reported shortly after 7PM.

The juvenile was inside the home of and bitten by a mixed-breed dog owned by Stacy Baczynski on Johnston Avenue. Baczynski was reportedly not home at the time of the incident.

“The kids are out playing, they go in to get a drink and unfortunately this is the result we’re dealing with,” Chief Mathews said.

Borough Officers Smith, Riskoski and Blose responded to the scene, as well as a state police trooper and Kittanning #6 ambulance personnel. The juvenile – who was identified by his father in a response to the Kittanning Paper – was rushed to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh by ambulance for surgery that evening after the dog – which was previously deemed dangerous due to another attack earlier this year - caused arm injuries and ‘sliced’ into the palm of his hand.

“It’s going to be a very, long healing process before he can get full strength back in his arm,” the father said.

Calls placed yesterday to learn the child’s medical status were not returned. He will not be released from the hospital until the dog is successfully quarantined.

Chief Mathews said the first responsibility of officers was to secure the child and dog to prevent the surrounding community.

“We need to render aid as well as keep the community safe by preventing this from happening again,” Chief Mathews said. He added that charges are ‘inevitable to be filed,’ but appropriate charges won’t be determined until after the dog’s quarantine expires August 13th.
The father and the juvenile’s grandmother, Mary Olinger – who spoke before Kittanning Borough Council Monday night pleading for an ordinance to prevent this from happening to another – both praised emergency responders for their quick aid.

Orphans of the Storm animal shelter in Rayburn Township confirmed they housed the dog Friday night after the incident, but released it back to Baczynski due to its status.