Why was the dog sued? - briefly
The dog was sued due to its owner's negligence in controlling the pet, which resulted in it biting a neighbor and causing significant injury.
Why was the dog sued? - in detail
The lawsuit filed against the dog, named Luna, stemmed from an incident that occurred on May 27, 2019, in Toledo, Ohio. The case is unique and has drawn significant attention due to its unconventional nature—it is rare for a dog to be named as a defendant in a lawsuit.
The plaintiff in the case was a woman named Jane Doe, who was represented by her attorney, Sherry L. Poland. The lawsuit was filed against both the dog's owner and the dog itself. According to the legal complaint, Luna, a German Shepherd, bit Jane Doe on the left side of her face while she was visiting the dog's owner, Bill Doepker.
The bite resulted in significant injuries for Jane Doe, including a laceration that required medical attention and subsequent plastic surgery to repair the damage. The incident left Jane Doe with both physical and emotional scars, leading her to seek legal recourse against the dog and its owner.
In Ohio, where the incident took place, state law allows for dogs to be sued in certain circumstances. Specifically, under Ohio Revised Code Section 955.28(A), a dog that causes injury or death can be held accountable. This provision is part of a broader effort by the state to ensure public safety and hold pet owners responsible for their animals' actions.
The lawsuit against Luna and her owner sought compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from the dog bite incident. The case highlighted important legal questions about the liability of pets and the responsibility of owners to control their animals.
While the outcome of the case is not explicitly stated in all sources, it is clear that the lawsuit represented a serious attempt to hold both the dog's owner and the dog itself accountable for the harm caused. The incident underscores the importance of pet ownership responsibilities and the potential legal consequences when those responsibilities are not met.