NJ: Pit bull captured by Trenton police after shooting deemed docile

Pit bull captured by Trenton police after shooting deemed docile

Published: Friday, June 22, 2012, 8:17 AM Updated: Friday, June 22, 2012, 8:17 AM
By Alex Zdan/The Times

One of two pit bulls that went after two teenagers in the P.J. Hill Elementary School playground last weekend may be available for adoption soon.

While its companion was shot dead by police Sgt. Tony Manzo in an effort to rescue the boys Sunday afternoon, animal control officers have found that the surviving dog has a relatively docile temperament, city health officer James Brownlee said yesterday.

Although police initially reported one child had been bitten, Brownlee said yesterday that the students were not bitten. “One of them nipped the kid’s jeans and tore them,” he said.

No tags were on either dog, and no ownership record was found, Brownlee said.

The dog, which remains at the city’s animal shelter, will be given a temperament test. If the animal passes, the dog will be made available for adoption. Since the dog did not actually bite anyone, there is no reason to destroy it or place restrictions on a new owner, Brownlee said.

The pit bull would then join the 17 dogs and 56 cats available to be adopted by the public. A full list will be posted at Trenton Animal Shelter online.

Yesterday, animal control officers were working on duties more of a barnyard type, with a goat in a South Ward yard and a report of roosters crowing on Centre Street.

The officer who went to the first block of Howell Street on the goat report was told the resident was keeping the goat “for a friend while he moved,” Brownlee said. The resident has 24 hours to move the goat.

And despite reports from neighbors who said they hear rooster noises from the M & M Bar on Centre Street, an investigation yesterday morning revealed no fowl play, Brownlee said.

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