PENNSYLVANIA -- A Hazleton woman has filed a lawsuit in county court against her neighbor, alleging her young daughter was attacked and injured by his dog.
Wendy Rivera, of North Locust Street, filed the lawsuit recently on behalf of her daughter through her attorney, James Conaboy, of Scranton, against Michael Scherff in connection with the May incident.
The suit requests monetary damages and a jury trial.
According to court papers, on May 10, Rivera said her young daughter was walking home from a nearby bus stop and stopped at her friends’ house when she was attacked by a light brown Boxer owned by Scherff.
The suit alleges the dog jumped at the girl’s face, bit her lip and caused bruises and contusions all over her body.
The suit says Scherff acted negligently by “not properly restraining and controlling (the dog) and/or warning (the girl) of the ferocity of (the dog).”
Scherff should have known his dog was violent and failed to warn the girl, the suit says, and also violated Pennsylvania dog laws.
The suit does not specifically list what dog laws are alleged to have been violated.
“As a result…(the girl) suffered pain, anguish, humiliation and embarrassment and she may continue to suffer the same for an indefinite time in the future,” the suit says.
The girl will have to undergo additional medical treatment, the suit says, and incur expenses as a result of the attack.
The suit also says the girl is unable to attend her usual daily activities because of the attack and her “detriment and loss.”
Scherff could not be reached for comment.
(Wilkes Barre Times-Leader - Dec 21, 2012)
