(Fishers, IN) – Mario Massillamany, partner at Massillamany & Jeter LLP, filed a lawsuit on behalf of the family of a child viciously attacked by a dog. The family of the four-year old seek damages from the dog owner for injuries sustained during the attack. The lawsuit filed, under case number 29D02-1609-CT-008024, will be heard in Hamilton Superior Court No. 2.
On May 27th, 2016, while playing in the front yard of the family home located in Noblesville, Indiana the defendant’s dog attacked the four-year old. Jason Willy was jogging with his dog on the sidewalk adjacent to the family’s property. While Mr. Willy’s dog was on a leash, the dog was able to run into the yard and attack the child. The dog has a history of aggressive behavior, in specific, the dog had mauled another dog two days prior to this attack. The child was playing in her yard when the dog viciously lunged toward her. The child was rushed to St. Vincent’s hospital where she received stitches and will need future plastic surgery due to excessive scarring. Westin Williamson, father of the child, stated “This attack has traumatized our whole family. It saddens me to see the impact this has had on my daughter.”
The lawsuit alleges that the defendant was negligent in taking precautions, which resulted in extensive damage to the child and shows the dog had a propensity for such behavior. Mr. Massillamany states, “Mr. Willy’s negligence resulted in lifetime physical and emotional damage to an innocent four-year old little girl and her family. This was an easily preventable tragedy. Someone has to be the voice for her and other victims alike.” This family is the latest victim of the recent rise in dog biting cases in Indiana. Indiana ranks in the top 10 states with the most dog bite incidents and cases. Nationally, each day, 1000 people require emergency care treatment for dog bite injury.