Mean Dog Will Cost You $19,000, City Says

DALLAS (CN) - Dallas sued a homeowner for $19,000, claiming his pit bull attacked and injured a code inspector at the man's house.

The City of Dallas sued Loyd Ferrell Ray Jr., in Dallas County Court.

The city claims its code inspector Donna Garza was bitten while inspecting Ray's home on Dec. 8, 2010.

"While on the property, a pit bull dog owned by the defendant attacked Garza, causing bodily injuries," the complaint states. "At no time did Garza provoke the pit bull dog."

The dog acted in a "vicious manner" and Ray knew or should have known of dog's dangerous nature, the city says.

"Defendant, as having dominion and control of the pit bull that is responsible for the aforesaid incident, owed a duty to Garza to keep her safe from dangerous conditions by properly constraining and/or confining the dangerous and vicious dog," the complaint states. "Defendant exposed Garza to a dangerous animal which the defendant knew or should have known had dangerous propensities."

Ray's home is north of Love Field near the Preston Hollow neighborhood.

The city seeks actual damages for negligence and strict liability. It claims it has paid more than $19,000 in workers' compensation benefits to Garza for her injuries.

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