NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 717.255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
16 July 2003

MAYOR ESTABLISHES FUND FOR VISITING GERMAN CITIZEN ATTACKED BY PIT BULLS; WOMAN SERIOUSLY INJURED SAVING CHILDREN FROM DOGS

Harrisburg, PA—Mayor Stephen R. Reed today announced that a special fund has been established by the city to help cover the medical costs of a heroic visiting German citizen who was badly injured in a multiple pit bull attack yesterday. The German visitor, 29-year old Karolin Stallcup of the 1600 block of Catherine Street in the city, has no medical insurance and had been scheduled to return to Germany this Friday.

Reed said the incident began shortly after 2:15 p.m. yesterday afternoon in the 2100 block of N. Fourth Street, when Police were summoned for reports of dog bites. Upon arrival Police found two of the three suspect animals and, when they tried to secure them, the dogs turned and charged the officers. The two officers were then forced to shoot the vicious dogs as they attacked. The third animal was soon taken into custody by the city’s Animal Control Officer and is now being held for observation at the Harrisburg Area Humane Society.

Earlier, the Mayor said, the dogs had begun attacking children playing at the Emerald Street Playground, and had chased one boy atop a parked vehicle to escape their frenzy. The victim, Karolin Stallcup, saw what was happening and deliberately distracted the animals from going after other children. The animals then turned their attention to her, and began biting her repeatedly about the feet, legs, hands and arms. Stallcup received numerous bite and scratch wounds and was taken to Harrisburg Hospital for treatment.

“Karolin Stallcup is a hero in this incident,” said Mayor Reed, “and her bravery and courage no doubt helped save some children from serious injury.”

Reed said Stallcup has no medical insurance and therefore does not have the funds to pay for her treatment. The city has set-up a special fund for donations to her medical care, and interested citizens can make their checks payable to the: Karolin Stallcup Fund, and mail it to the Mayor’s Office at Suite 202, 10 N. Second Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101.

The Mayor noted that Stallcup’s work visa is set to expire this coming Friday, when she planned on returning to her native Germany. U.S. Congressman Tim Holden’s office is now working with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Office to get her visa extended so she can remain in the U.S. and continue her medical treatment. Stallcup has been working as a carpenter during her stay here in the U.S.

Reed said only one owner of the three dogs has been identified, 44-year old Joanna Palmer of the 2400 block of Logan Street in the city. She will be charged with various counts in the attack, including Aggravated Assault. Palmer’s dog was legally licensed in the city and had its rabies shots, while the other two dogs had no identification. Police believe they know who the owners of the other animals are and will likewise be charging them with related counts.

“This is yet another example of how animal owners, despite very clear city law to the contrary, continue to allow animals access to the street where they prey upon our community,” said Mayor Reed. “We are fortunate that we are not talking about far more serious injuries, or even death. Were it not for Ms. Stallcup’s heroic efforts, it would have been worse.”

The city has a full-time Animal Control Officer who, every week, has been rounding up stray dogs released to wander by their owners. All dogs must be licensed and aggressive animals must also be specially licensed and secured, or their owners will be issued criminal citations.

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