UPDATE: Lawsuit Pending Over Pit Bull Bite In RVC Hair Salon

Despite the repeal of Rockville Centre’s short-lived last summer, the debate over the breeds’ presence in the village lives on for those personally affected by biting incidents.

Over the past three months, former RVC resident Lisa Shulman — whose three-year-old daughter was bit by a pit bull puppy in the on South Park Avenue last March —  has taken legal action against the salon’s owner, Diane Indelicato. Indelicato, however, maintains that the bite was an accident and an isolated incident.

“You can’t just try to ban a whole breed because a child gets bit,” said Indelicato, who also volunteers as president of the Ruff House Rescue in Oceanside. “It’s a risk with any breed. You can get bit by a Chihuahua and need stitches.”

According to Indelicato, the dog that bit Shulman’s daughter was a pit bull puppy named Tina who was only in the salon a few days after being rescued from a “kill shelter.” Indelicato said that Tina did not have a history of aggression and was given a positive evaluation by Ruff House Rescue.

Shulman was a regular at the salon, Indelicato said, and knew she kept dogs at her business. “Lisa was a regular client who knew that I ran a rescue and knew I kept dogs in the salon,” said Indelicato. “If people expressed that didn’t feel comfortable with the dogs, we would keep them downstairs in the basement of the salon.”

Indelicato described the incident by saying that the child was petting Tina while her father stood with her. “Tina playfully jumped up and her tooth caught the little girl’s cheek,” explained Indelicato, who said that this was the only time a customer was bit in the salon. “There was no aggression. It was an accident.”

Shulman, who spoke in support of the pit bull ban last summer, could not comment due to her pending lawsuit. Her lawyer, William Oster, who also declined to comment, said, “I don't feel it would be prudent to discuss the case as it may create an issue with the litigation.” 

Indelicato acknowledged the pending lawsuit and explained that she does not keep dogs in the salon anymore. She now rents a space on Long Beach Road in Oceanside where rescued animals can stay until they are adopted. As for Tina, Indelicato said she was adopted and now lives with a family that has two other animals.

“I will continue to rescue,” said Indelicato. “These animals don’t have any rights. People discard dogs and cats like they are old shoes.”