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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Bad Dog, Worse Owner, Mauled Woman Says

HARTFORD (CN) - A woman who was mauled by a dog on the street says a 911 dispatcher canceled an ambulance that already had been sent when he realized it was his dog that had attacked her.

Debra Lee sued Paul Meunier and the Town of Enfield, for recklessness and other charges, in superior Court.

Lee, a Vermont resident who was visiting relatives for Thanksgiving in 2009, says she was walking her family's dog when Meunier's dog ran across the street and attacked her, knocking her down and injuring her so badly she needed surgery.

As she sat in the road in pain and distress, "a 911 call was placed to the Emergency Service Center of the Town of Enfield requesting that an ambulance and emergency personnel be dispatched," the complaint states.

"At the time the call came into the center, the defendant, Paul Meunier, was on duty in the call center and overheard the call come in. Realizing that the call concerned his dog, the defendant unilaterally canceled the ambulance which had already been dispatched, thus depriving the plaintiff of the emergency care which had been requested and further subjecting her to additional physical pain, emotional suffering, and injuries which she would not otherwise have had to endure."

Lee needed knee surgery after the attack, and her shoulder and arm were hurt and she suffered "severe bruising and contusions to her body" and "scarring which is likely permanent."

She claims that Meunier also tried to cover up what he had done, by "changing departmental records; and concealing the fact that the dog which attacked the plaintiff belonged to him."

She says her medical treatment "was delayed many hours" because Meunier canceled the ambulance, "because he knew that the person seeking assistance had been attacked by his dog," and "because he feared possible legal consequences regarding the attack."

Lee seeks damages for recklessness, negligence, and statutory tort liability. She is represented by Frederick Vollono with Kenny, Brimmer & Mahoney of Weathersfield.

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