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Todd Elliott, Co-founder of Elliott & Davis, PC, talked to KDKA (above, on the right) and John Delano (left) on the 6 o'clock TV news about how the law applies in Pennsylvania. We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to help you understand your rights.
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McKeesport woman sues over pit bull attack
By Brian Bowling, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW Tuesday, April 17, 2012 Last updated: 2:06 pm
A McKeesport woman claims in a lawsuit in Allegheny County Common Pleas court that the owner of a pit bull knew the dog was dangerous before an Aug. 13 attack that disfigured her. Jade Nicora, 22, says in the lawsuit, filed Monday, that the dog, Sampson, knocked her to the ground and bit her on her face and mouth. She had accompanied a friend, Brittany Hayes, to the home of David Nemes where Hayes was picking up her child in a custody transfer, the lawsuit says. Nemes knew his dog was dangerous because it had previously attacked at least one other person, but he failed to get any training for the dog, the lawsuit says.
Nicora is suing Hayes and Nemes, both of McKeesport. There was no phone listing for Hayes or Nemes. Nicora's lawyer, Todd Elliott, said she is suing for disfigurement, medical costs and pain and suffering.
McKeesport police charged Nemes with harboring a dangerous animal, but District Judge Eugene Riazzi Jr. dismissed the charge on Nov. 17, according to court records.
DONORA, Pa. — A Donora mother said her son was severely hurt in a dog attack at the boy's uncle's house on Monday. Braeden Fincik, 11, suffered wounds all over his body in the attack and had to undergo surgery, his mother told Channel 11's Vince Sims on Friday.
Deanna Bundy said the boy's uncle has since taken off with the three dogs involved.
"Now, all of a sudden, he is nowhere to be found, and his dogs are nowhere to be found," Bundy said.
Bundy said her son was playing video games with his uncle when something startled one of the dogs, and it began attacking.
"I was playing Xbox and got excited. It must have scared one of the dogs," Braeden said. "They jumped on me and started biting me on my head, arms and all over my legs. The dog was yanking on my arm."
Braeden said his uncle's pit bull named Carter bit him on the head, then another pit bull, named Rocco, began biting his legs, stomach and back at the same time. His uncle's girlfriend's dog then joined in on the attack, he said.
Eventually, Braeden said, his uncle and his girlfriend were able to pull the dogs off of him. He said his uncle wrapped him in a blanket and instructed him on what to tell police. Braeden said his uncle then walked over to a neighbor's house to ask for a ride to the hospital.
Bundy is asking the boy's uncle to come forward.
"He can't even start school in two weeks. He'll probably have to go to cyberschool because he has to go to therapy three times per week," Bundy said.
Braeden will have to go through physical therapy and a series of rabies shots. He has 13 staples in his head, stitches in both arms and bite marks all over his body.
"I can't eat, sleep or do anything. I think it's a shame," Braeden's grandmother, Linda Bundy, said. "I don't think I'll get over this in a long time, seeing someone like that."
Donora police have not said if any charges will be filed or who they might be filed against.
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