Kids use sticks to defend themselves from vicious dog attack in Pennsylvania, cops say
Two “dangerous” dogs have been captured after Pennsylvania police say they sent one person to the hospital, cornered two children who defended themselves with sticks, and nearly bit an officer.
The Penbrook Borough Police Department in a news release said their owner, Diana Lopez, has been charged with harboring a dangerous dog, along with other charges.
“Many citizens observed the officers’ attempts to capture these animals on February 19th and some expressed concern with the welfare of the animals,” the release said. “Both animals have been and will continue to be treated humanely and according to the law.”
The release said Lopez received multiple warnings about the pair “constantly getting out and running at large.”
“Lopez has refused to take any action to stop her dogs from leaving her unsecured property and leaves them out unattended,” the release said.
The release recounts how, on Jan. 20, one of the dogs nearly bit an officer trying to round them up after they escaped.
On Feb. 3, police said, the dogs escaped again and attacked a woman, who was hospitalized for her injuries. Lopez hasn’t provided rabies vaccine records, according to the release, so the injured woman underwent rabies post-exposure treatment as a precaution.
Five days later, according to the release, the dogs got out again. This time, they cornered two kids who improvised with sticks to protect themselves, police said.
Lopez was charged with harboring a dangerous dog after the first incident and failing to secure and muzzle them after the second incident, according to the release. Pennsylvania law requires dogs be under the “reasonable control of a person when not confined within the premises of the owner,” and Penbrook Borough has its own dogs-at-large ordinance on the books.
It wasn’t until they escaped again on Feb. 19 that officers were able to corral the animals, police said. The dogs were running in traffic when the male of the pair “acted aggressively,” according to the release, and an officer pepper-sprayed the dog before they were both brought under control.
What to know about dog attacks
“Dog bites can cause pain, injury, and spread germs that cause infection,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. “Nearly 1 in 5 people bitten by a dog requires medical attention.”
Dogs bite more than 4.5 million people each year in the U.S., and nearly 800,000 of those people need medical attention, according to the CDC.
Any dog can bite if they feel scared or nervous, or if they want to be alone. You should never approach a dog that seems angry or scared, the CDC said.
If an unfamiliar dog comes up to you, officials say you should:
Stay calm and be still.
Avoid eye contact with the dog.
Don’t panic or make loud noises. Don’t run.
Say “no” or “go home” in a deep voice. Stand with the side of your body toward the dog.
Slowly raise your hands to your neck and back away slowly.
This story was originally published February 24, 2025 at 11:07 AM with the headline "Kids use sticks to defend themselves from vicious dog attack in Pennsylvania, cops say."
