LANCASTER — The parents of a child who was allegedly attacked by a dog while trick-or-treating in a neighborhood in Ephrats and suffered injuries are claiming negligence.
Ashley Zarate and Jesus Zarate filed a complaint Jan. 18 in the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County against Beth Bachman alleging negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress.
According to the plaintiffs' complaint, they took their minor child A.Z. trick-or-treating to Bachman's home in Ephrats on Oct. 31, 2021. They claim that no one answered the door immediately and that as they walked away, Bachman finally opened the door and let her dog outside.
The plaintiffs allege the dog ran over to A.Z. and attacked her, with Bachman taking no steps to restrain the dog. They further allege A.Z. required medical treatment for her wounds, required a series of rabies shots and has scarring on her back. The plaintiffs claim Bachman's negligence for failing to keep her dog restrained and leashed, allowing the dog to attack A.Z. and for failing to control a dangerous animal. They also claim Bachman's failure to keep her dog inside and failing to ensure it was safe to let the dog out is in violation of various Ephrata Borough codes/ordinances.
The Zarates seek monetary relief of more than $50,000, trial by jury and all other just relief. They are represented by Edward Kennett of Katherman, Briggs & Greenberg in Lancaster.
Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County case number CI-22-00287