Police Officer Sues Lehigh County Humane Society After Dog Bite
Facial Scarring InjuriesAllentown, PA - It was recently reported that an Allentown police officer who was bitten in the face by a pit bull last year is suing the owner and the Lehigh County Humane Society. The lawsuit says the humane group failed to capture the dog in a timely manner, forcing the officer to deal with the "vicious" animal. The lawsuit states that as officer Evan Weaver tried to place the dog into a police wagon, it bit him in the face, ''causing serious injury and scarring.''
Weaver says on May, 3, 2008, he responded to a call about a dog bite (See:
05/01-05/08 Pit Bulls Shot by Police). He found the pit bull on a porch and placed a leash around its neck. Another officer called the Humane Society, which is contractually obligated to handle such matters, according to the lawsuit, but the officer said no one from the nonprofit organization could show up until 9 p.m. So Weaver attempted to take the animal into custody himself.
The pit bull was shot to death by police after attacking Weaver.
Also named in Weaver's suit are residents Russell Opp and Christina Gilly, who Weaver claims are owners of the pit bull. Weaver's lawsuit, which was amended in May to include additional sufferings, is asking for more than $50,000 from each defendant. The lawsuit claims Opp and Gilly failed to control the dog properly, knowing it ''has vicious tendencies.'' The suit also says the Humane Society breached its contract by not taking care of the dog, resulting in the bite.
The Humane Society has not yet responded to the amended complaint and its attorney, Edward McKarski of Bethlehem, could not be reached for comment for this story.Related articles:06/03/09:
DogsBite.org Releases Report: U.S. Police and Citizen Shootings of Pit Bulls 200808/23/08:
Suing Animal Control Agencies After a Dog Attack05/07/08:
05/01-05/08 Pit Bulls Shot by Police
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