A horrifying dog attack has led to a legal battle in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. On September 15, 2023, Deborah Morabito filed a complaint against Todd Locklin and Christine Locklin in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, alleging negligence and seeking damages for severe injuries inflicted by the defendants' German Shepherd.
According to the complaint filed by attorney Anthony E. Patterson on behalf of Deborah Morabito, the incident occurred at around 1:18 p.m. outside her workplace at Dovecote in Aspinwall, Pennsylvania. Morabito was tending to flowers when she encountered Todd Locklin and his German Shepherd exiting the building. Despite being aware of the dog's aggressive tendencies, Locklin allowed Morabito to pet it after instructing her to move away from other people.
The complaint details that as soon as Morabito bent down to pet the dog, it lunged at her without provocation, causing severe lacerations and bites on her arms and wrists. "The ferocity of the assault left Debbie screaming in agony," reads one part of the filing. The document also states that Locklin failed to adequately restrain the dog during this encounter.
Morabito's complaint further alleges that both Todd and Christine Locklin had prior knowledge of their dog's violent propensities. Evidence presented includes previous incidents where the German Shepherd lunged at a neighbor holding a puppy and routinely barked aggressively at people and other dogs. The breed's characteristics as highly territorial were also cited.
The plaintiff is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 for medical expenses, lost earnings, permanent disfigurement, emotional trauma, and punitive damages due to what she describes as "outrageous conduct" by the defendants. The lawsuit accuses them of violating Pennsylvania's Dog Law and Dangerous Dog Statute.
Attorney Anthony E. Patterson represents Deborah Morabito in this case.