Haddonfield family's dog must be muzzled, court rules

A Haddonfield family that owns four Rhodesian Ridgebacks suffered a setback yesterday when a New Jersey appellate court reinstated a Municipal Court ruling that one of the dogs was "potentially dangerous" and should be kept muzzled.

The dog, Rocky, bit five people between 2002 and 2004, though the owner, Bob Taffet, maintains the dog was provoked in each case and did not represent a danger to residents.

Borough Solicitor Mario Iavicoli said yesterday that "neighbors are happy" about the ruling.

"They have a lot of anxiety for the safety of their children and families," he said.

Bill O'Kane, Taffet's attorney, said the family was disappointed by yesterday's ruling, which overturned a 2009 administrative court decision to dismiss the case.

"They're considering their options," he said.

Yesterday's ruling comes as the Taffets await another court date, in Alloway Township, Salem County. In November, another of their dogs, Duke, attacked a 4-year-old girl visiting the Taffets' Salem County farm, ripping the girl's ear off; surgeons reattached it.

The Taffets were scheduled to appear in court in Alloway yesterday, but the hearing was postponed after Taffet told the court he needed time while he met with another lawyer and took the dog in that case to a behaviorist, said Ned Shimp, the animal control officer in Alloway.

Under a temporary agreement with the court, the Taffets have agreed to move Duke out of Alloway, which means the dog is now being kept in Haddonfield, Iavicoli said.

"Now, we have the problem," he said. "Duke is either going to be removed to a kennel or a breeder, or we're going to impound the dog and put him in a kennel."

Taffet's Haddonfield neighbors have testified about the family's dogs bounding through their invisible fence and terrorizing other dogs and children.

Under yesterday's ruling, Taffet must build an enclosure for Rocky and keep him muzzled during walks, install a sign to warn the public, and maintain a $1 million insurance policy to cover any damage or injury the dog may cause.

"I won't feel safe for my family until he complies with the court order," said Susanne LaFrankie-Principato, who lives across the street from the Taffets. "It's a shame it took so long to resolve this case."

But the Rhodesian Ridgebacks, which Taffet once showed at area dog competitions, have not aroused loathing among everyone in Haddonfield.

Danielle Pierznick, a friend of Taffet's wife, Michelle, said she is frequently around the dogs and allows her three children to play with them.

"They come over and lean on you. They're very lovable dogs. It's very sad what's happening to the family," she said.