SCRANTON – A woman has filed suit against her ex-boyfriend, claiming he negligently failed in preventing his Boykin Spaniel dog from attacking the plaintiff twice in 2015 and causing her injury.
Jillian Panunti of Old Forge filed suit on Jan. 23 in the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas against Anthony Zippittelli of Clarks Summit.
“On or about July 4, 2015, the aforesaid dog, Coco, was under the supervision and control of its owner/handler, defendant [Anthony] Zippittelli. On or about July 4, 2015, as [Jillian] Panunti attempted to straighten up the room, which included putting Coco’s toys away, the aforementioned dog, Coco, suddenly and without warning, bit onto [Jillian] Panunti’s left hand multiple times,” the suit reads.
“On or about Nov. 8, 2015, as [Jillian] Panunti attempted to reach under the bed to retrieve a piece of food which had fallen, and without knowing of Coco’s presence, Coco, for the second time, suddenly and without warning, bit onto [Jillian] Panunti’s right hand multiple times,” the suit adds.
Panunti says the defendant failed to maintain, restrain, control or supervise the dog and protect the plaintiff, and also claimed to have suffered lacerations, injury and pain to her left hand, left index finger, right hand and right index finger, left hand and left index finger pain and swelling, related puncture wounds, scarring and disfigurement, plus a number of other injuries in the assault.
The plaintiff is seeking damages in excess of the court’s arbitration limits.
The plaintiff is represented by Peter J. Biscontini of Distasio & Kowalski, in Wilkes-Barre.
Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas case 2017-00567
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nickpennrecord@gmail.com