PITTSBURGH – A Western Pennsylvania woman claims that an American Pit Bull mix dog she was looking to adopt instead viciously attacked her, and has brought legal action against the sanctuary which housed the dog.
Tracy Lynn Hart of Murrysville filed suit in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas on Feb. 1 versus Gray Paws Sanctuary, of White Oak.
The events in question took place outside Hart’s residence where the defendant sanctuary had in its possession, a male American Pit Bull/Terrier mixed-breed dog named “Georgie.”
“It is believed and therefore averred that defendant, Gray Paws Sanctuary, had actual knowledge and/or constructive knowledge that the aforementioned American Pit Bull Terrier dog had dangerous, hazardous and vicious propensities, and was a danger to any individuals that came into contact with said dog, as it had growled, barked, lunged, chased or shown aggression at other individuals in the past,” the suit says.
“It is believed and therefore averred that defendant, Gray Paws Sanctuary, had actual knowledge and/or constructive knowledge that the American Pit Bull was a dangerous breed of dog with a propensity to maul and attack without provocation.”
The suit explains that two dog handlers from Gray Paws Sanctuary brought the aforementioned dog to Hart’s residence on July 25, 2020, for possible adoption. As the plaintiff went to pet the dog, the dog suddenly and without warning or provocation lunged at the plaintiff, and viciously attacked, mauled and bit her face, tearing into and removing the flesh of her nose. The dog attack continued while the dog handlers of defendant, Gray Paws Sanctuary, were allegedly unable to control the dog.
“As a direct and proximate result of the negligence and carelessness of the defendant, Gray Paws Sanctuary, the Plaintiff, Tracy Lynn Hart, suffered severe facial dog bites causing nasal amputation, which required multiple surgical procedures, including facial reconstruction, a failed nasal replant, necrotic tissue debridement, tissue expander insertion, and paramedian forehead flap delay, amongst others, as well as necessitating hyperbaric oxygen therapy and leech therapy; Acute hypoxic respiratory failure and single sub-segmental pulmonary embolism necessitating respiratory ventilation support; Acute stress induced cardiomyopathy requiring pressors; Severe lacerations and avulsions to the scalp and face; Requirement to undergo multiple surgeries including debridement, laceration repair, and skin grafting; Dog bites to the bilateral upper extremities; Mental anguish and anxiety and emotional distress; Severe shock, strain and sprain of the nerves, muscles, tissues, ligaments and vessels of the left lower extremity; and other serious and permanent injuries the exact nature of which is not known to the plaintiffs at this time,” according to the lawsuit.
“As a direct and proximate result of the above negligence and carelessness of the defendant Gray Paws Sanctuary, the plaintiff Tracy Lynn Hart has also suffered the following damages: Severe physical pain, mental anguish, fright, humiliation, embarrassment, permanent scarring and disfigurement, loss of earnings and loss of earning capacity and loss of enjoyment of life, vitality, vigor, health and/or strength.”
For a count of negligence, the plaintiff is seeking damages in excess of the arbitration limits of Allegheny County, plus court costs, interest and a trial by jury.
The plaintiff is represented by Jason M. Lichtenstein and Nicholas Katko of Edgar Snyder & Associates, in Pittsburgh.
The defendant has not yet secured legal counsel.
Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas case GD-21-000924
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nick.malfitano@therecordinc.com