PITTSBURGH — A ranch in Bridgeville is facing a negligence claim after an allegedly aggressive horse caused a rider to suffer serious injuries.
Karen Pirone and Robert Mullaney filed a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County against Rolling Hills Ranch Inc., alleging negligence.
According to the plaintiff's complaint, Karen Pirone was riding horses with her son and daughter at the Rolling Hills Ranch on Sept. 19, 2020. She claims that the horse she was given to ride was known by the Ranch to be "aggressive in nature" and that the horse suddenly and without warning ran down a hill and into a ditch.
The plaintiffs claim that the horse then fell on top of her and caused her to suffer "severe injury and trauma." They also claim that the Rolling Hills Ranch employee left Pirone and her children unsupervised on the trail and that Ranch employees failed to offer any form of assistance except to improperly move her to a different location.
The plaintiffs allege Ranch employees initially refused to call 911 and only called for emergency services after Robert Mullaney's persistence. The plaintiffs also allege Pirone suffered a ruptured spleen, fractured ribs, a concussion and other injuries as a result of being given a dangerous horse to ride.
The plaintiffs seek monetary relief, interest and all other just relief. They are represented by Ian Watt of Friday & Cox LLC in Pittsburgh.