Doggy Tale Has Happy Ending

Sorting out a dog-biting incident, the Ridgewood Education Foundation helped a resident locate the responsible dog owner Friday.

After Scott Lief's dog, Shadow, was bit by a terrier at REF's dog show May 23, he's been trying to track down the owner, as his Labrador required seven stitches.

Thanks to the REF, he successfully contacted the owner and the matter has been resolved.

"The REF was instrumental in helping me get together with the dog owner, who feels terrible and is a wonderfully nice person," said Lief, who is also the incoming Chamber of Commerce president. "I can't say enough with how much they helped."

Lief posted an open letter on Ridgewood Patch looking for information on the terrier's owner, whom he said left the scene without knowing the severity of the incident. Last week, Lief e-mailed the REF but the e-mail was never successfully forwarded.

After it was made aware of the situation, the REF instantly connected the two, Lief said.

"So, thumbs up to the REF for a great event, and helping me resolve the situation," Lief said.

REF President Liz Gordon said the group would use the incident as a tool to learn from at future dog shows. In its first year, the dog show raised "somewhere in the thousands of dollars range, but less then $10,000," for Ridgewood schools, Gordon said.

"On the whole, we had a great event. It's unfortunate that happened, but we'll move forward," she said.

In future years, Gordon said the group might require all dogs to register (this year, it was done voluntarily). Additionally, the REF will have a booth where people can get information and raise concerns if an incident occurs.

As the case in the inaugural year, the REF will have the Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital onsite to deal with issues if they arise. Lief had his dog examined in the Ridgewood High School parking lot immediately following the incident.

The group also addressed the e-mail forwarding problem.

At the event itself, Gordon estimated over 300 people—and 100 dogs—attended the afternoon fair. Countless high school and middle school students volunteered Sunday, and many others exhibited dog-themed artwork in the high school's Campus Center.

In the tough budget year, the REF hopes it can aid Ridgewood where it can.

"In light of Trenton, we're thinking of how the REF can step and have bigger role in filling gaps," she said, adding that the community participation was just as important as the funds raised at the dog show.

Lief and the owner were able to "amicably," settle the situation, Gordon said.