A Cook County woman is suing over claims she was bitten when trying to save her dogs from another dog that allegedly attacked them.
Patience Eckler filed a lawsuit Oct. 14 in Cook County Circuit Court against Judith and Rachel Salstone, alleging violations of the Illinois Animal Control Act.
According to the complaint, Rachel Salstone brought the Salstones' dog, Mac, to Eckler's property on Walters Avenue in Northbrook on Sept. 19, and asked if Mac could socialize with Eckler's dogs, Argus and Penny.
Eckler claims she agreed on the condition that Salstone control Mac on a leash at all times. Salstone, however, dropped the leash for Mac to retrieve a ball, and Mac attacked Argus, the suit alleges.
The complaint states Eckler's other dog, Penny, then became involved, and because Salstone made no attempt to restrain Mac, Eckler asserts she feared for her dogs' lives. She alleges she tried to separate the dogs and suffered bite injuries on both of her hands.
Eckler is seeking more than $50,000 in damages, plus costs of suit. She is represented by attorney Paul McMahon of Costello, McMahon, Burke & Murphy in Chicago.
Cook County Circuit Court case number: 2014L010624.
This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt and it only represents one side of the story.
Suit: Woman suffers hand injuries trying to protect her dogs from another dog
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