Organizers of Tarentum’s 2nd chance Halloween: ‘Kids deserved trick-or-treat re-do’

Dawn Wyble doesn’t live in Tarentum, but that didn’t stop her from helping borough children cheated out of trick-or-treating Thursday after a chilling dog mauling.

Three pit bulls got loose just before 6 p.m. on Halloween in the area of East Sixth and Seventh avenues at lower Ormond Street. The dogs attacked several residents, sending three to the hospital.

“A lot of kids had to go back inside,” Wyble said of the chaotic incident. “A lot of them were scared at what they saw or heard. They deserved a re-do.”

Wyble of West Deer and her daughter Angel Matthews of Brackenridge organized a second chance trick-or-treat Saturday that spanned Riverview Memorial Park along First Avenue. They posted to social media, asking for candy donations and volunteers, and invited kids to come in costume.

The turnout was uplifting. More than 50 children dressed as witches, pirates and cartoon characters made their way between stations to collect candy from volunteers who appeared to enjoy the setting and the message.

“If there’s a chance to do good, everyone should step up,” said Mary Dalbenzio of Brackenridge, whose granddaughter is in Matthews’ Girl Scout troop.

Christina Disiena appreciated the community effort. Her family lives next door to one of the victims, Mike Shutack, and witnessed the attack that left the 60-year-old man with puncture wounds on his face and arms.

“I was taking pictures of the kids and saw (Shutack) running by. He was kind of bent over and one of the dogs grabbed him by the neck,” she said. “It happened so quick.”

A neighbor jumped into action and threw things at the dog to release their bite, Disiena said.

The ordeal left her sleepless Thursday night and has had lingering effects on her daughter, Savannah, 14.

“When she went to the bus stop the next morning, she kept looking around,” Disiena said. “We’re kind of traumatized.”

Thirteen-year-old Macie Matthews, dressed as a pirate, said the incident has made her a little hesitant. Macie said she’ll still trick-or-treat — so long as her whole family is with her.

“It makes me a little iffy,” she said.

Renee Rice, a borough resident about five years, wasn’t home when the dog attacks happened but said she feels sad for everyone involved, including the pit bulls.

“My son has a pit bull, and she’s so sweet,” Rice said. “They get a bad rap because of the owners.”

Organizers of Saturday’s event said volunteers donated more than 10,000 pieces of candy to ensure kids had a nice Halloween memory. There was a coffee station, hot dogs and a raffle with 15 gift cards donated by local businesses.

“This community always steps up,” Borough Manager Dwight Boddorf said.

Angel Matthews said it was an easy decision to spearhead the event, which came together quickly through everyone’s generosity.

“What happened wasn’t fair,” she said. “Halloween is supposed to be fun, and maybe a little scary — but not real-life scary.

“These kids deserved a second chance so we said, ‘Let’s make it happen.’ ”