COAL TOWNSHIP - The owner of a Rottweiler that bit a Kulpmont man last week was committed to Northumberland County Prison Thursday morning after turning herself over to authorities. She later posted bail.
Cindy Santore, 45, of 217 Third St., Ranshaw, was arraigned by video by Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III on a misdemeanor of recklessly endangering another person and a summary of allowing her dog to run at large, which violates a township ordinance.
Gembic set bail at $10,000 cash, which Santore initially was unable to post. After being committed to the county jail, Santore posted bail Thursday night and was released.
She is scheduled to face a preliminary hearing on the charges at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday before Gembic.
Coal Township Police Chief William Carpenter, who filed the charges, said Santore turned herself in at Coal Township Police Station. He said Santore told him that her Rottweiler named Junior was quarantined since biting Joseph Drost, 23, of 1025 Chestnut St., Kulpmont, in the forehead at about 11:45 a.m. May 24 on Route 61 near Palmer's Diner. Drost suffered two deep puncture wounds.
Carpenter said he doesn't know the whereabouts of the Rottweiler and referred questions about the status of the canine to state dog enforcement officer Allen Fegley, who couldn't be reached for comment Friday.
Helping dog
Carpenter previously said the attack occurred after Drost stopped his Jeep in an attempt to prevent the canine and another Rottweiler from running onto the busy highway.
Santore's daughter, Cynthia Hippenstiel, 22, of 211 Third St., Ranshaw, who owns the other Rottweiler found along Route 61, was cited for allowing her dog to run loose through the east end of the township at 10:44 a.m. May 24. She was cited for the same offense Nov. 5.
In his criminal complaint filed against Santore, Carpenter said both women have been warned multiple times about their dogs' aggressive behavior, which poses a threat to residents. But the chief said Santore and Hippenstiel have ignored the warnings.
He said the dogs have attacked other canines and one of the Rottweilers previously bit a Ranshaw man and hung onto him while the man attempted to get inside his home. That victim refused to press charges against Santore or Hippenstiel, Carpenter said.