As an update to the article we ran last week, North Wales Woman Charged After Dog Gets Loose, Almost Attacks 2 Dogs Being Walked, Police Say, we spoke with North Wales Police Chief Mike Eves in an effort to provide answers to some reader questions and gain a better overall view of the situation at hand.
For those who may have missed it, 60-year-old Beth Rapp, of the 200 block of Elm Avenue, was recently charged with misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, failure to keep her dog confined and related summary offenses, in connection with her dog allegedly getting loose on March 16 and becoming aggressive towards a man who was walking his two dogs. The charges were filed after previous attempts by police to remedy the situation — including four citations since 2019, totaling nearly $1,000 in fines — failed to curb the misbehavior.
But the issues go back farther and deeper.
According to Eves, North Wales Police have been dispatched to 11 dog-related calls regarding Rapp’s dog getting out without a leash since 2018, including three prior occasions where the dog rushed at a passing dog-walker and either fought with their dogs or bit the dog-walker.
“In all occasions, the bite didn’t break the clothing and the owner sustained no injury,” said Eves.
The dog is described as a 40-pound mixed-breed that is white with some black spots. Eves says he believes the dog is mostly Border Collie.
“The dog is very aggressive with other dogs,” Eves said. “The bites to persons were very minor and no injuries were sustained, so the Montgomery County Dog Warden did not adopt the case due to the lack of injury.”
When asked why the dog wasn’t removed from Rapp’s home following the incident on March 16, Eves said police remain in communication with the county dog warden, however the incidents have not elevated to a level where the warden will confiscate the dog.
“That’s why we’re pursuing the matter in court,” Eves said. “Ms. Rapp is not a bad person, but I think that Ms. Rapp is unwilling, or unable to control the dog. Warnings have not worked, so the matter was elevated to criminal charges. I’d like to resolve this problem before the dog actually hurts someone or someone’s dog.”
North Penn Now has reached out to the local dog warden for comment on the issue, but has not received a response at the time of publishing. We will update this article accordingly once a response is received.
Rapp’s first court appearance on the new charges is scheduled for April 15 at 12:30 p.m. in front of Magisterial District Judge Suzan Leonard.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using court records and the affidavit of probable cause.
See also:
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North Wales Woman Charged After Dog Gets Loose, Almost Attacks 2 Dogs Being Walked, Police Say
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Police Arrest 2 Men On Drug Charges Following Traffic Stop In Montgomery Township
Hilltown Woman Accused Of Cyber Stalking, Harassment Of Doylestown Cheerleading Group, Police Say
