MEDIA — The owner of a home for alcohol recovery in Landsdowne is facing a lawsuit after a visitor to the property was allegedly attacked by her pit bull.
Katharine Rhoads filed a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas for Delaware County against Rachel Adams, Way of Life Recovery LLC and Fresh Start Properties LLC alleging negligence.
According to Rhoads' complaint, she was visiting her stepdaughter on Dec. 4, 2020, at the defendant's residential facility for recovering alcoholics in Landsdowne. She alleges that as she entered the home, Adams' pit bull "Bruiser" attacked her and bit her arm and right hand "down to the ligaments and bones."
Rhoads claims the dog attacked her without provocation and that Adams was aware the dog "was aggressive and potentially dangerous to people" and had a history of attacking people and domestic animals. She further claims Adams failed to cage, muzzle or restrain the dog and did not supervise the dog in order to make sure he would not cause harm to residents or guests.
Rhoads alleges she has also suffered "emotional pain," scarring, disfigurement and has incurred medical treatment expenses as a result of the attack.
Rhoads seeks monetary relief of more than $50,000, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. She is represented by Timothy Rayne of MacElree Harvey LTD in Kennett Square.