Dog that mauled girl to die

By Rick Dandes
The Daily Item

April 28, 2009 06:18 am

— KULPMONT -- The woman whose bullmastiff attacked and seriously injured a 9-year old borough girl has agreed to have her dog euthanized.
The dog's owner, Maryjoy Ruffner, 45, of 1040 Chestnut St., Kulpmont, signed paperwork to put down her dog, Bandit, on Wednesday, at the end of a 10-day observation period, Kulpmont Police Chief Richard L. Wilson III said.
The dog has been held at the Sunbury Animal Hospital since the attack on April 19.
Ruffner has been charged with a summary ordinance violation for failing to keep her dog under control. Police said no further charges will be filed.
The victim, Amanda Smith, of 1039 Chestnut St., was in fair condition Monday night at the Janet Weis Children's Hospital at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.
She suffered multiple fractures and facial injuries in the attack and is facing a series of operations.
The attack occurred at about 5:30 p.m., while she and Ruffner's 9-year-old niece, of Coal Township, were walking Bandit on a leash.
The niece's name has not been released by police.
According to friends who were at Smith's house moments after the mauling, another dog jumped a fence and ran at the bullmastiff.
When the girls tried to stop the fight, Bandit turned on them.
Ruffner, who is the second owner of the dog, the original owner and neighbors said Bandit had never shown signs of aggressive behavior.
The dog was bought at Pet King on Route 61, Ralpho Township, in 2006 and was given up for adoption at the Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA in Pine Grove on March 30. It was adopted by Ruffner on April 7, 12 days before the attack.
Kelly Elementary School in the Lewisburg Area School District, where Amanda Smith had attended school until recently, and the Mount Carmel Area Elementary School, where she is now a student, have been providing moral support, sending get-well cards and organizing fundraisers for the family.