Forked River Woman Issued Summons After Dog Bites Barnegat Resident

A Forked River woman was charged with letting her dogs run at large after one of them bit a Barnegat woman on the county Rail Trail, Police Chief David A. Paprota said.

Officers Julie Barcalow and Darrell Nick responded to the bike path near Taylor Lane at 6:14 p.m. on April 12 on a report of someone being bitten by one of two loose dogs, the chief said.

The 34-year-old Barnegat woman sustained a bite to her shoulder area along as well as several scratches. She was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River for treatment of her injuries, Paprota said.

The dogs' owner was identified as 36-year-old Beth Hupke, Taylor Lane in Forked River. The two dogs are described as black Labrador and Pit Bull mixes. Both dogs were properly licensed and were up to date on their vaccinations, the chief said.

Animal Control was notified and responded to assist. Hupke was issued a summons for allowing the dogs to run at large. Animal control is conducting a follow-up investigation, he said.