Pit Bull Shot in Uniontown

Upon hearing the concerns regarding the dog who was in Uniontown, Hello Bully felt it was important to speak to both Captain Rutter of the Uniontown Police Department and the owner of the dog Elizabeth D'Auria .

Capt. Rutter released this information:

Months before this incident,the police received a call regarding this dog from a complaint that it had bit a neighbor.

There were several 911 calls about the dog in question “running at large” on the day of the incident. Captain Rutter informed us that a 911 call was also placed by a woman who would not get out of her car because the dog was barking at her.

A K9 Officer of 30 years, who deals with all breeds of dogs, was on the scene and stated that the dog was behaving aggressively towards him and that's why the dog was shot. According to the officer the dog was shot once, stumbled in a yard, was still alive and suffering, so they shot it again to end it’s suffering.

Captain Rutter also stated that if a dog is running at large (regardless of breed) and the officer feels threatened, they can shoot the dog.

Elizabeth D'Auria provided this statement:

Elizabeth and her family were not home at the time of the incident. She stated that they arrived home and were told by a neighbor that their house was being burglarized and that the dog jumped out of the window and chased the burglar. She stated that a neighbor called the police to report the burglary.

According to D'Auria, her sister stated that the police told her that when they tried to put the noose around the dog's neck, it growled at them and that they were "tired of chasing" the dog, so they shot it. D'Auria also said that a neighbor told her that this went on for 45 minutes and that they heard 6 shots. D'Auria returned home and there was blood everywhere. D'Auria, her sister and her mother stated that they each have made multiple calls to the Uniontown Police Department and the calls have gone unanswered or they have been given the run-around and that no one will give them a straight answer as to where the dog's body is. D'Auria just wants the dog's body back, so that they can give it "a proper burial". She stated that the bite incident involving the neighbor was provoked.

When we asked her how much time the dog spends on the chain, she told us that in the warmer months the dog is out there longer, but when it's cold, the dog is only outside to go to the bathroom. We also asked if the dog was neutered. D'Auria said that the dog was unaltered.

While, there is no way to remedy the situation that unfolded, Hello Bully has offered to do a Pit Bull 101 for the Uniontown Police Department. Captain Rutter was very receptive to the breed education that our presentation provides. The department also expressed interest in education for their officers on dog fighting.

While many factors could have prevented this tragedy, our sympathies go out to the D'Auria family. It is tragic any time a beloved dog passes too early.