Chihuahua Attacked and Killed at Hollenback Dog Park

Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County - A small Chihuahua lost his life last week after being attacked at a dog park in Wilkes-Barre.  Eyewitnesses say three larger dogs charged into Hollenbeck Dog Park, killed the Chihuahua, and bit its owner.

This is the last picture Sara and her mom Sharon Frey have of their one year old Chihuahua mix Bentley.  He died last week after being attacked by three large dogs at Hollenbeck Dog Park in Wilkes-Barre.

Sara and Bentley were playing in the small dog area when the dog owner of three large dogs, described as huskies, came into the holding area, "He told me that he put them there because they would get into fights with other dogs," explains Sara.

The three large dogs were inside this holding area, unsupervised, while Bentley was out in the small dog park area playing with his owner Sara.  The large dogs started jumping up at the latch on the gate, unhooked it and ran into the small dog park and attacked Bentley.

"I was absolutely horrified.  I didn't realize at first how vicious they were and I was yelling at the dog first, "Hey, get away," explains Sara.

Sara tried to save Bentley but in the process was bit several times on her hand.  Bentley was rushed to the animal hospital where he died Wednesday morning.

Marijo Carozzoni is the chair of the group that maintains Hollenbeck Dog Park.  She was very upset to hear about the attack, "I have a small dog myself.  It could have happened to my dog."

She says those large dogs should have never been left unsupervised and that breaks the rules listed at Hollenbeck.

Sara and her mom are now hoping the Wyoming Valley Dog Owners Group will make improvements to the gates, to make things safe for everyone.

As for the owner of the three aggressors, he paid for all of Bentley's medical bills but his dogs are no longer welcome at the park.  The incident was reported to animal control.  Our calls to the owner have not been returned.

The group responsible for the park says they're going to have the company that installed the fence back out to see what improvements can be made.