According to the Times News, Mr. Settles either failed or refused to control his dog despite being asked to do so by police. Reportedly, he made some effort to take control of the dog but repeatedly dropped the leash and refused to place the dog in the back seat of a cruiser. The dog did not bite any of the police officers who responded to the scene but reportedly bared its teeth and engaged in other menacing behavior.
Mr. Settles was arrested and charged with multiple crimes, including aggravated assault, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness. He was arraigned before Magistrate Judge Tom Robie and is in the Erie County Prison on $10,000 bond.
Aside from the fact that it certainly appears that Mr. Settles was overcharged (aggravated assault?), he is nevertheless a shining example of irresponsible dog owner behavior. Hmm, I think I’ll tie my pit bull to a fire hydrant while I go get pie-eyed.
Fortunately, no one was seriously injured. But the incident is an illustration of behavior we see all too often among some dog owners. Some people who otherwise recognize a duty to act safely when driving or engaging in other activities seem to lose all perspective when it comes to their dogs. As a result, others, usually children, suffer tragic injuries.
For more information on Erie animal attacks, visit our dog attack page or our general injury page where you can find loads of free information about dog attacks and injury cases. We are Erie injury lawyers who believe in providing free information to the public about negligently caused injuries and the cases that result from them. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie injury lawyers, call today toll free at 814-273-2010 or locally at 814-273-2010.