Haddonfield Doctor Robert Taffet stood expressionless as he learned that the life of one of his Rhodesian Ridgebacks would be spared. In Pilesgrove municipal court the judge ruled that the dog, Duke, while potentially dangerous is not vicious. This after the dog tore off the ear of a 3-year-old girl who had visited Taffet's Salem County goat farm
With his ruling Judge Nicholas Lacavara said, "What I think common sense dictates is that Duke nipped the ear of the child. And as the child fell, that caused the injury to be much more severe than it otherwise would have been."
The ruling didn't sit well with the child's parents Cindy and Dennis McVeigh, who say their daughter Claire has undergone numerous surgeries since the incident last year.
"It's difficult to hear a 4-year-old talk about being in pain when she yawns, when she sneezes. So, we're disappointed. And we really just don't want to see this happen again," said Dennis McVeigh. "If we knew that there were five other incidences before, when kids were around his dogs, this wouldn't have happened."
The Taffets own several Rhodesian Ridgebacks and there have been several biting incidents in Haddonfield where the couple lives, including at least three children and another doctor.
Taffett would not comment after today's ruling but was pleased that Duke would not be put down.
Richard Klineburger, Taffet's attorney says, "Was this the dog being enraged and attacking a child? Or was this dog turning and nipping as a child was falling? That's what we said all along. That's what the judge found."
Taffet will have to follow the judge's order that includes tattooing the dog, putting up an enclosure and muzzling him posting signs. He'll also carry a $2-million dollar insurance policy and have the property inspected once a month.
The McVeigh's have 20 days to file an appeal and they are still considering that. it is also likely that they'll file a civil lawsuit against Taffet.
