DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — A Penbrook woman is facing charges after police say her two pit bulls ran free on multiple occasions, putting children and officers in danger.
The Penbrook Borough Police Department said the charges come after Diana Lopez, 42, left her dogs unattended and “refused to take any action to stop her dogs from leaving her unsecured property,” according to a news release.
On Jan. 20, police tried to capture the dogs after they were found running unattended, and one of the dogs nearly bit an officer.
On Feb. 3, the dogs got loose again and “viciously attacked” a woman, sending her to the hospital, police said. Because Lopez has allegedly never provided registration or rabies vaccination records for the canines, the woman bit had to undergo rabies prevention treatment.
Lopez was charged with harboring a dangerous dog, dogs running at large, rabies vaccination violations, and dog license violations following the incident.
On Feb. 8, the pit bulls—once again running at large—cornered two children, who were “forced to defend themselves with sticks,” police said, and additional violations were filed against Lopez.
On Feb. 19, Penbrook officers were trying to capture the dogs again found running alone in traffic. Police said one of the dogs began acting aggressively, and an officer had to use pepper spray against the animal in self-defense. Lopez will face additional charges after this incident, according to police.
After officers eventually captured the dogs on Feb. 19, they were taken to a shelter.
“Many citizens observed the officers attempts to capture these animals on February 19th and some expressed concern with the welfare of the animals,” police wrote in the news release. “Both animals have been and will continue to be treated humanely and according to the law.”
Police said that Pennsylvania law required that dogs be under control of a person when they’re not confined at home, and a Penbrook Borough ordinance prohibits dogs running at large.
According to online court records, a preliminary hearing has been set for March 10 for Lopez in connection to the Feb. 8 charges.
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