Elderly Porter Twp. woman recovering after pit bull attack; trooper forced to shoot the dog when it also bit warden

Jul. 14—TOWER CITY — An elderly Porter Twp. woman is recovering from injuries she suffered when attacked by a pit bull around 2:20 p.m. June 28.

State police Trooper Erik Auffant of the Schuylkill Haven station said the woman, identified by a neighbor as Ann Shadle, 89, suffered what appeared to be life-threatening injuries.

The incident occurred as Shadle was in the backyard of her home on East Wiconisco Street doing yard work when the brown and white adult male pit bull forced its way out of a fenced-in yard and attacked her.

A 27-year-old man, who Auffant did not identify, attempted to help the woman when he was also bit by the dog.

The dog was secured by its owner and Auffant said the man who was bitten sought medical treatment on his own.

Auffant said Rick Hine, the Pennsylvania state dog warden who covers Schuylkill County, was notified and responded.

Hine was also bit by the dog while he was attempting to put the animal in a cage to be taken to a veterinary hospital for humane euthanasia.

In defense of Hine, Auffant said, a trooper from the Schuylkill Haven station discharged his firearm three times, killing the animal.

Hine was treated at the scene by EMS for his injuries. Auffant said no troopers were injured or exposed to blood during the incident.

No property damage was reported and the dog tested negative for rabies, the trooper said.

The woman's neighbor, Larry Morton, said Shadle is a nice woman who keeps to herself.

"This poor lady was torn up pretty bad," Morton said. "She's still in the hospital recuperating, but it's going to be a long road."

Contact the writer: fandruscavage@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6013