Montgomery County, PA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NOVEMBER 16, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman and Plymouth Township Police Chief Joseph Lawrence announce the filing of a criminal complaint against Gary McKEOWN.  On Monday, October 5th, 2009 McKEOWN allowed a known vicious dog, MAX, to roam free on his property, resulting in an attack on a 5 year old child.

 

On Monday, October 5, 2009, at approximately 3:55 PM, Plymouth Community Ambulance Association (PCAA) and members of the Plymouth Township Police Department responded to Maple Acre Farms, 2656 Narcissa Road, Plymouth Meeting, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, for a report of a dog attack on a 5-year-old girl.  Medical personnel immediately recognized that the child’s neck wounds were severe, and she was flown to Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania (CHOP).

 

Investigating officers subsequently interviewed the victim’s mother, who told investigators that they were at the farm to visit the public farmstand.  She stated that her daughter had been petting the shepherd, MAX and when she attempted to hug him. The dog attacked the child without provocation.

 

The attack took place near a sidewalk area open to the public in front of the farm.  MAX was not leashed at the time of the attack and was roaming freely on the property the entire time they were at the farm. 

 

On Tuesday, October 6, 2009, doctors performed a five hour surgery on the child to repair her severely damaged vocal cords and a punctured larynx.  The damage was so severe that the victim required a tracheotomy, had to be placed on a ventilator and may remain in the hospital for up to a month.

 

Police learned that during the time period between May 2000 and May 2006, MAX had three documented severe attacks on people:

 

On Sunday, May 14, 2000, MAX attacked and physically harmed an 11-year-old female, who then required stitches to her face.

On Monday, June 19, 2000, MAX attacked and physically harmed a 10-year-old male.

 

On Friday, May 19, 2006, MAX attacked and physically harmed an 18-year-old female who required 17 stitches to reattach her left ear and close lacerations at her jugular vein.  
 
A review of Health Department records revealed that on Tuesday, May 30, 2006, The Montgomery County Department of Health sent a “Departmental Order” to McKEOWN advising him of these three attacks.  The order further declared that his German Shepherd, MAX, is a public health nuisance.  Accordingly, McKEOWN was ordered to physically restrain MAX by leash and muzzle when in public areas. The “Leash and Muzzle Order” dictates that MAX can only be handled by an adult 18 years or older, and he must be restrained or kept within a secure enclosure when on his farm property.

 

This order was sent to McKEOWN by certified mail on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 and was received by an agent for McKEOWN on Wednesday, May 31, 2006.

Additionally, records from the Montgomery County Office of the Treasurer and show that at the time of the October 5, 2009 attack, McKEOWN did not have a current dog license for MAX.

McKEOWN was arraigned on Monday, November 16th, 2009. His bail was set at $50,000 ROR and he was released pending a preliminary Hearing before District Judge Francis Bernhardt on November 24, 2009 at 8:15 AM.

Assistant District Attorney Abigail Silverman is assigned to prosecute the case.

 

           Approved for release:
 
           Risa Vetri Ferman