Lancaster man calls for stricter leash laws following alleged dog attack

Arthur Fleming addressed the Lancaster City Council during public comments on Monday, seeking answers regarding code enforcement after claiming to have been bitten by an unleashed dog.

Fleming recounted an incident where he encountered three unleashed dogs outside a dog park, resulting in one of them biting him on the leg near a community park off Jefferson Street last month.

Despite calling the police department for assistance, Fleming alleged that officers never arrived, leaving him waiting in an ambulance for nearly 45 minutes for police or animal control to respond.

Although Lancaster Police confirmed receiving a call to dispatch an officer, the dispatch was canceled once Fleming received medical attention. A report wasn’t filed until Fleming visited the police department the following day.

Fleming expressed frustration with the lack of enforcement of the city’s ordinances prohibiting dogs from roaming at large and restricting animals at parks and playgrounds.

Lancaster’s city manager stated that city leaders would investigate Fleming’s case in response to his concerns about code enforcement.