Pit bull’s bite worst for bark

Some dogs get in trouble for barking, some for biting.

Tyler Port’s pit bull, Rossman, got in trouble for biting bark.

The dog tore patches of bark off trunks of trees in Fairview Park, where Port allowed her to run loose while he played basketball this summer, city dog law officer John Iorio said.

Iorio cited him for failing to keep the dog under control and will seek $3,100 in restitution to cover the Central Blair Park & Recreation Commission’s cost to replace three honey locusts a consultant said may die.

Iorio investigated for two months, starting in early June, making use of tracking to determine Port’s identity and obtaining photos for evidence.

A hearing is scheduled for Dec. 9 at Central Court.

Iorio never heard of a dog chewing a tree before.

Neither has Dave Hopkins, executive director of the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society, who checked with his humane officer.

“A new one on us,” Hopkins said. “Highly unusual.”

Port, 22, believes officials are barking up the wrong tree.

His dog did no significant damage, but she just had “an infatuation” with trees, rubbing against them and jumping up to hang on their limbs with her teeth.

“The kids loved it, so I allowed it,” he said. “Once someone expressed concern, it ceased.”

Iorio is pursuing the matter mainly because Port didn’t cooperate at first, Port said.

But they’ll come to an agreement, and he’ll drop charges, he said.

“He and I are on the same page now,” Port said.

His dog is not one of the bad pit bulls that have given the breed a fearsome reputation, but she is friendly and plays with kids, Port said.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 949-7038.