PITTSBURGH -- An 18-month-old Husky that bit and killed a newborn baby was given a temporary reprieve on Thursday by a judge who must decide if the animal should be put down as a dangerous dog.
After a hearing in front of Allegheny County Judge Ed Borkowski, all parties agreed that the dog will remain in custody in its current holding facility and be evaluated again for a follow-up hearing three weeks from now.
"There is a process involved in dealing with this animal and the court is following that process," the district attorney's office said in an email.
Borkowski wrote that the purpose of the hearing is to show evidence of "a person/entity who is able to provide proper care and custody of the animal, taking into account the safety of the public, as well as the facts and circumstances of this case."
The judge's previous order remains in effect for now: "Nikko will remain in his current placement until that hearing has been completed or order of this court changing such placement for purposes of evaluation or care."
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But a court order was later executed by a state dog warden to seize Nikko from Uhring's home in Churchill.
While an investigation by the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office continues, the mother of the baby who died is not expected to face any criminal charges.
"It looks as if it was a very tragic accident," District Attorney Stephen Zappala said.
McKeesport police said the boy's mother had been in another room when she went into the living room and saw the Husky hovering over her baby, then noticed the newborn's head injuries.
"A terrible tragedy, a baby died. It doesn't get any worse than that," Uhring told Channel 4 Action News reporter Sheldon Ingram. "But then we heard the story that the dog was adopted a few weeks back (and had) a broken leg. It wasn't this dog's fault."
The pit bull went back to the home in McKeesport, but Uhring decided to keep Nikko and rename the dog Halo.
"The dog was put in a situation that it shouldn't have been in, as was the baby. And we thought, the dog doesn't need to die," said Uhring.
Nikko and the pit bull were removed from the home in McKeesport because, according to the city ordinance, a household can have up to two dogs in it, and four dogs were living there when the baby was bitten.
"The dog catcher said (Nikko) was at the bottom of the feeding chain, as far as feeding goes, so it was inevitable that it was going to happen," said Uhring.
Ingram reported that Nikko has a broken leg and was wearing what appeared to be a homemade contraption at the time of the baby's death.
Uhring said he was told by the owner that the leg contraption was applied by a veterinarian, but he's not so sure.
"(The owner) couldn't show us receipts or names or anything like that," he said.
Uhring since made sure the dog got an appropriate cast.
I'd recognize 'precious snowflake' anywhere, hahaha. Good for you for reacting that way with your dog. I have brought up my children to ALWAYS ASK the owner if they can pet the animal first. You just never know...
