Reba M. Woodsides filed suit Tuesday claiming the store encourages owners to bring their pets into the store and, therefore, is responsible for damages. Karla D. Kloss filed as the Power of Attorney on behalf of her mother.
Woodsides is now living in a residential facility.
The suit claims the defendant was in the store on Dec. 21 when she was allegedly attacked by a dog who was with an “unknown person.” She was allegedly knocked to the floor, resulting in fractures to the arm and hip.
The suit claims that PetSmart maintains a policy of allowing pets in its stores and that the stores maintain in-store surveillance cameras, “specifically to investigate claims and incidents to otherwise protect its customers.”
Woodsides claims that there were no surveillance cameras operating in the Glen Carbon store, 130 Junction Drive, on Dec. 21.
The business allegedly failed to screen animals being brought into the store and failed to warn the plaintiff that she could be exposed to being attacked by animals on the premises.
The plaintiff claims that, in addition to the bone fractures, she suffered extreme physical and mental anguish and was caused to spend money to treat her injuries.
The suit was brought under the Illinois Dog Bite Act, which refers to attacks in a general way, not just bites. The suit also claims that PetSmart is an owner, as defined by the statute.
The suit is asking for at least $50,000 damages in each of two counts. Woodsides is represented by Tom Hildebrand of Granite City. A spokesman for PetSmart could not be reached.
(The Telegraph - June 21, 2017)
