Subject: HORSE ATTACKED BY PITBULLS: Hi Larry, A horse was attacked by 2 pitbulls on Weekstown Rd. on Monday September 11. The horse substained various bite marks and a broken shoulder. The horse was put down on Tuesday to the injurys substained by the attack. On Thursday, September 14, 1 of the pitbulls, busted a screen window of the residents and charged in a aggressive matter at the horses again. Owner of horses was there at the time of this attack and was able to chase the dog away. Police arrived but were afraid to leave there vehicles until Animal Control arrived. Police and Animal control believe that nothing can be done to the Dogs as they were not seen attacking the horse, just seen on the property. What if that was a child that was attacked, i am sure the dog would be taken care of then? What if this happens again and claims another horse or human? Concerned Resident for safety of other Animals and Children.

RESPONSE The two pit bulls are owned by Heather Carmen who is a renter at 1345 Weekstown Road and two summons were issued for dogs at large. Ms. Carmen is scheduled to be in Mullica Municipal Court on October 3rd to answer those charges. Both of those Complaints were issued resulting from the September 11th incident. No summons has been issued for the lose dog on September 14th. The Board of Health was contacted as well as the SPCA. The head of the Atlantic County SPCA, nancy I’M IN FOR THE MONEY beal was contacted, but she apparently could not find a way to make money off the incident as you note no one saw the actual attack; and thus she had no interest in this case.

It is my understanding that the second time (9/14) that one pit bull got out it was taken by animal control and placed under ten day quarantine. It is also evident that the Township has only issued one license for one female pit bull. However, in order to get that license one must have proof of a rabies shot for one’s dog. Dogs that are less than six months old can not get the rabies shot and thus there is a possibility here that explains why only one of the two pit bulls allegedly involved in this attack had a license. Clearly, vet bills and the value of the horse that had to be put down in terms of replacement costs may be recoverable from Ms. Carmen. The burden of proof in a civil matter is much lower than it would be in Municipal Court which is a quasi Criminal Court with the burden of proof being beyond a reasonable doubt...Civil Court only requires a preponderance of the evidence to prove guilt.

There are a fair number of kids on that Elwood stretch of Weekstown Rd and while no one was witness to the attack, one would have thought that a vet report on the type of bites being consistent with the jaw of a pit bull might push the police to be more aggressive in addressing what would seem to be a very dangerous situation.