WOODSTOCK — A spectator who was bitten at a police-dog competition is seeking at least $100,000 in damages in a lawsuit filed last week.
Karyn Pimental was watching the K-9 Olympics in Algonquin on Aug. 14 when Pablo, a Waukegan police dog, broke free and bit her, according to the lawsuit.
Pimental is suing the city of Waukegan and canine officer Mallory Baker on allegations of negligence and reckless misconduct.
“The defendants intentionally and with conscious disregard for the surrounding circumstances and the safety of the plaintiff and other persons agitated the dog to incite it into an attack mode and then released the dog from its leash in the presence of nearby spectators,” the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit alleges that city officials were negligent in allowing a dog they knew or should have known was not reliably trained for the competition to enter, along with an inexperienced handler. The lawsuit also alleges that Pablo has attacked and bitten people in the past.
The lawsuit states that Pimental sustained internal and external injuries, including torn tissue, nerves and ligaments.
The case is set for a scheduling conference on June 8 before Judge Michael Caldwell.
By JILLIAN DUCHNOWSKI, [email protected]
Read the original article from the Northwest Herald.