A Geneva woman has admitted guilt in connection with a pit bull attack that seriously injured a Rochester father and his 10-year-old son last summer.
The Finger Lakes Times reports 27-year-old Madison Herendeen pleaded guilty earlier this month to second-degree reckless endangerment, a misdemeanor, just weeks before her case was scheduled for trial. She was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge, 100 hours of community service, and was ordered to avoid any new criminal charges. Herendeen will also share responsibility for paying more than $8,200 in restitution to the victims, 43-year-old Rory VanGrol and his son, Wren.
The August 29, 2024, attack happened on Coy Street in the City of Canandaigua. Police said the dog, co-owned by Herendeen and Casey Murphy, was off-leash when it suddenly attacked. Rory VanGrol suffered permanent nerve and muscle damage to his left arm while shielding his son, who was bitten on the back. Both were hospitalized.
Bystanders pulled the dog away and called 911. Police reported that the dog had a history of aggressive behavior and had previously been involved in other incidents. Its owner, Herendeen, had already received citations for the animal prior to this attack. The animal was later euthanized.
Murphy, the co-owner of the pit bull, pleaded guilty in May to third-degree assault. He was sentenced to three years’ probation, 250 hours of community service, and ordered to pay restitution within 18 months. An order of protection also bars him from contacting the VanGrols or a passerby who witnessed the incident.
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