Volunteer At Shelter Paid $450,000 After A Dog Bit Her 18 Times Causing ‘severe And Permanent’ Injuries

Emily Moncur was photographing dogs astatine an Orange County animal shelter successful August 2023 erstwhile a Labrador retriever and beagle operation named Blaze pinned her against a kennel doorway and spot her astatine slightest 18 times, a suit states.

Moncur, 46, suffered “severe and imperishable injuries” to her arms, legs, cervix and hips during nan onslaught astatine nan OC Animal Care installation successful Tustin, California. Orange County officials agreed to a $450,000 colony to resoluteness a negligence suit she revenge complete nan incident.

The settlement, approved unanimously by nan Orange County Board of Supervisors during a closed-door convention March 10, was elaborate successful tribunal records seen by nan Los Angeles Times.

According to nan lawsuit, nan onslaught occurred arsenic Moncur attempted to return nan canine to its kennel aft a photography session. The title alleged that nan shelter grounded to pass her of nan animal’s history of aggression, which reportedly stemmed from a anterior cruelty case.

Moncur told nan Orange County Register that nan canine had been “fast tracked for adoption” and featured astatine a nationalist arena conscionable 2 days earlier nan attack, contempt its history.

“The canine that attacked maine was portion of a cruelty lawsuit wherever he was severely abused by his proprietor and her family, which was not disclosed to volunteers,” Moncur said successful a connection to nan news outlet.

Court documents besides elaborate information concerns astatine nan facility.

The title alleged that volunteers were required to activity unsocial without capable training and that staffing shortages near nary 1 adjacent to assistance during nan incident. The suit besides claimed that unit members did not perceive Moncur’s screams because labor were encouraged to deterioration earplugs while working.

The region initially contested nan allegations, arguing successful a December tribunal filing that Moncur had “knowingly assumed” nan risks of nan activity. Despite that earlier stance, nan committee yet moved to settee nan case.

Moncur reported that she continued to suffer from nervus harm and visible scarring.

“The events of that time near maine scarred some physically and mentally and proceed to haunt maine to this time and will for galore years to come, astir apt nan remainder of my life,” Moncur said successful a connection to nan Register. “Unfortunately, location are only cosmetic procedures to thief heal nan beingness injuries and scars, and thing tin beryllium done for nan nervus damage.”

Notice of nan colony was revenge successful Orange County Superior Court successful mid-April.