Mastiffs In Hoboken Dog Attack Were Supposed To Be Muzzled, City Says; Fundraiser Launched

HOBOKEN, NJ — After three cane corso (Italian mastiff) dogs attacked two dog walkers and a bernedoodle near the Hoboken ShopRite on Wednesday, the owner has been cited, said city officials.

Officials also said that last August, the city's Health Division had ordered the owner to keep the dogs leashed and muzzled in public.

Meanwhile, a fundraiser for Frank the bernadoodle, as well as for one of the injured dog walkers, continues to amass donations.

READ MORE: Cane Corso Dogs Seized After Attacks In Hoboken And Secaucus

Hearing Next Week

City officials said that on Wednesday, three dogs got out of a vehicle in the Hoboken ShopRite parking lot around 1 p.m. and attacked two people walking eight pet dogs.

Both dog walkers suffered from sprained wrists, and a pet bernadoodle needed emergency surgery.

Meanwhile, Secaucus police were already looking for the same dog owner in connection with an attack at the Red Roof Inn on Monday night, said Chief Dennis Miller.

In that incident, three cane corsos belonging to the same person escaped from a hotel room and attacked a man and woman from New York State. The two victims were brought to Hackensack University Medical Center, where the woman underwent leg surgery.

The paid also had two kids with them, who were unharmed. READ MORE: Children Were With Victims Of Dog Attack At Secaucus Hotel

Miller said the three dogs at the Red Roof Inn "pretty viciously" attacked the pair, and that at least one of the dogs involved in that assault was involved in the Wednesday incident in Hoboken. The owner has at least six cane corsos and is a breeder, he said.

Miller said that so far, the owner has surrendered three of his mastiffs to Jersey City's humane society, and surrendered three others to Secaucus police, who currently have them in custody.

A hearing will be held in both cases this coming Tuesday, sources told Secaucus Patch.

Cited Before

Hoboken public safety spokeswoman Marci Rubin said Friday that the Jersey City Animal Control Officer — who's contracted by the city of Hoboken — has issued three summonses to the owner for having potentially dangerous dogs.

He had already been issued a summons for violating an August 2025 consent order from the Hoboken Health Division, which stated the resident's dogs had to be muzzled and leashed whenever they are out in public, she said.

Fines are up to $1,000 for each violation, she said.

Updates On Frank And Dog Walker

Abby Swiatkowski, the owner of Frank, said Friday that her GoFundMe fundraiser is for both her dog's recovery and for Jordy, the dog walker whom she credits with saving Frank's life.

"We want to stress the importance of leashing dogs and being a responsible owner," she told Patch. "We are devastated."

She clarified that the fundraiser will help with Frank's drain removal, more surgeries, medication, and "socialization rehab," and with Jordy's "medical cost and bravery."

The fundraiser, "Help Frank Heal After Vicious Attack," now has a cap of $30,000. It had amassed $21,000 in donations as of Friday. See it here.

READ MORE: Dogs Attack Two Dog Walkers, Injure Pet Bernedoodle In Hoboken