A Woodridge man was charged Friday for allegedly stealing a dog quarantined for attacking an elderly woman a day earlier.

Police say 39-year-old Richard Delfino broke into the Bergen County Animal Shelter around 5 a.m. and stole his friend's pit bull. Authorities had the dog under quarantine ever since they say it attacked an 82-year-old woman in Hasbrouck Heights on Thursday afternoon.

Delfino allegedly scaled the shelter's fence, went into the back and took the dog, authorities say. Delfino left another dog behind. When the owner's mother found out, she called police and Delfino turned himself in. He faces burglary and theft charges.

The victim remains in good condition at Hackensack University Medical Center.

In light of the recent attack, a local dog trainer gave tips about how dog owners should react if another dog sets it sights on them.

Gwen Bauman, of A-B- Canine, suggests if a dog comes after a dog owner and their dog, the owner should let go of the leash.

"If you have your dog on a leash, you're not going to allow him to run away if he wants to, and a lot of times you get tangled up so you're of no use, too," says Bauman.

The trainer says owners shouldn't bend down to pick up a smaller dog either, because the attacking dog may start to jump and bite. She says to stay as calm as possible and to use common commands to put the aggressive dog at ease. To watch how to deal with an attacking dog, go to Channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra. Elderly woman mauled by dogs in Hasbrouck Heights