Neighbor concerned about dilapidated home after something there attacked his dog

HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A homeowner in Hempfield Township is warning his neighbors and reaching out to township officials after he says something in a dilapidated home two doors down from him attacked his dog.

“The house has been a problem for years here, with animals living in it and everything,” Monte Elliot told Channel 11 News on Tuesday.

Elliot said he let out his 6-year-old dog, named Kush. He said she somehow got out of his fenced yard and came back with open wounds and scratch marks.

"When they're out here, we watch them, especially her because she can't run any more. And she's a runner. I’m scared to let her out by herself,” he said.

Elliot said he blames an old, dilapidated home on Keystone Avenue for his dog’s injuries, saying he’s seen animals coming and going from the home.

“The house has been a problem for years here, with animals living in it and everything. And you can see by (my dog’s) cuts and everything how bad she is,” he said.

Kush was taken to a veterinarian, and she is expected to recover. Elliot, however, hopes something will be done about the empty home before someone else gets hurt.

“I hope they tear that house down and get rid of it because it's causing a lot of problems,” he said. “We have two little grandchildren, and I don't want to see them to get bit by anything like that.”

Channel 11 News reached out to Hempfield Township supervisors to find out if they’re going to do anything about the property. An official said code enforcement was notified and will be checking out the home.

Supervisors also said they’re working with the land’s bank to demolish the home if it comes up for a sheriff's sale.

Cox Media Group