Derry Township woman demands accountability after dog attack | Local news

The attack lasted between 30 and 90 seconds, Ishman told the city council at its June 11 meeting.

“The dog bit me five times,” Ishman told the lawyer, struggling to keep her composure. “I couldn’t get the dog off me.”

“It lasted between 30 and 90 seconds and all I could do was stand there and scream.”

The dog’s bites left three to four centimetre-long puncture wounds on the 47-year-old woman’s thigh, hand and hip, she said.

According to Ishman, the dog owner came to pick up the dog but did not stay.

Neighbors from nearby areas, Ishman’s husband and Derry Borough police officers came to help.

Carol Alexander was sitting in the gazebo with two friends before the attack. She said she knew something was wrong when she heard Ishman screaming.

“We heard the most horrific, bloodcurdling scream I have ever heard in my life,” Alexander said.

Alexander went over to see what had happened and found Ishman shaking and unable to speak.

“I have never seen anything so bad in my life,” said Alexander.

Alexander and others who spoke at the council meeting said they knew of the house, which was home to several dogs, some of which were allegedly aggressive.

They say they are afraid for the residents, especially the children who live and play in the area.

No charges have been filed against the owners since the attack. Ishman and others say they know which dog bit Ishman, but police have not been able to confirm this.

Ishman spoke at the June 11 meeting because she wants something to be done. Aside from not filing charges, Ishman told the council that as of early June, she still hadn’t been informed of the dog’s vaccination status. That uncertainty led her to undergo painful rabies shots as a precaution.

Ishman told the council that something must be done about the “standstill” suffered by police in her case. The attack and the appearance of inaction had left Ishman embarrassed and helpless, she said.

“It’s not good enough for me, it’s not good enough for my family, it’s not good enough for these citizens who can’t enjoy their yards because they’re afraid of this dog,” she said. “I don’t feel like any of this is being taken seriously.”

“I need a police report. I need someone to tell me they’re listening to me. It would be no different if those two owners had come here and beat me with their own hands… and left me bleeding on the street.”

After Ishman and others spoke, Councilwoman Barbara Phillips said the council could not comment on the matter because it was an open investigation. Councilman Nathan Bundy asked for a brief board meeting to discuss the investigation before the meeting continued.

After a brief deliberation, the City Council reconvened and Mayor Grant Nicely made a statement.

“I want to say to everybody involved in this, we appreciate the comments and all that,” Nicely said. “But I have to tell you that this is an ongoing, active investigation – nothing is being put on the back burner, it’s an active investigation – and by law neither the officers nor the council can comment on the ongoing investigation.

“But I can tell you that it is active and that it will be taken care of immediately. Guaranteed.”

A search of online court records revealed no criminal or non-traffic citations related to the incident as of Monday evening. Non-traffic citations are typically filed for less serious offenses that could potentially result in charges in this investigation.

Ishman said she wanted to do something before anyone else was attacked.

“I urge this council to review the procedures, policies and laws in your jurisdiction … and take action against these irresponsible owners and right this wrong before it happens again,” Ishman said. “The next victim may not be as lucky as I was, and I will handle this very carefully because there is no luck in the situation I am in.”