Harrison woman faces criminal charges after German shepherd attacks 5th person, a township police officer

A Harrison woman is facing criminal charges that include reckless endangerment after her German shepherd attacked a township police officer.

It is the third such incident, and fifth attack, made by the dog, police Chief Brian Turack said.

Daureen Linn, 49, of North Meadow Street is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Dec. 13 at District Judge Carolyn Bengel’s office. She faces several counts related to public safety, including failure to confine her dog. Linn still has ownership of the animal.

“She knows the danger and refuses to do what needs to be done,” Turack said.

Police responded to an incident Oct. 8 where the German shepherd, named Marshall, attacked a neighbor’s dog and its owner, a 35-year-old man, Turack said.

The victim suffered deep wounds to his arm, and his dog escaped without injury.

“Officers were nearby for another call and heard screaming,” Turack said. “They got over there and Linn’s dog attacked a Harrison officer, leaving (a) deep bite mark to his left wrist.”

The officer was off work for three days while recovering from the bite, Turack said.

A few weeks later, on Nov. 2, police were called because Linn’s dog was running at large without a muzzle, a stipulation mandated by the state after several earlier attacks, according to Turack.

Turack said the aggressive nature of the German shepherd dates to April 2021, when the dog got loose from Linn’s home and attacked a 13-year-old boy who was mowing his lawn a few doors away.

“A man who lives in the neighborhood observed that incident and went out to help, and he was attacked by the dog also,” Turack said.

The pair was treated at the hospital, and the incident was reported to Hoffman Animal Control.

In July 2022, township police responded to reports that Linn’s dog was running at large on North Meadow Street.

It happened again in August 2022, and the dog bit a 63-year-old man, Turack said.

Turack said the victim had significant injuries but was treated and released.

Hoffman Animal Control filed two summary offense citations against Linn, which included attacking without provocation and unlawful confinement and control.

Linn was found guilty, and the dog was reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement. The dog was deemed “dangerous,” which means Linn was supposed to follow strict guidelines, such as keeping the animal muzzled.

“She failed to do so,” Turack said.

“We usually don’t have these kinds of incidents. The owners usually recognize the danger and take care of the problem.”