- Man sues animal shelter after adopted so-called “rescue dog” mauled him.
Published by -NAWA News Feed- in -Animal Welfare- · Monday 09 May 2022
After being attacked by Jaxx, a 5-year-old boxer pitbull mix, on May 12, 2019, Anthony Pavone, 24, said he was left with a portion of muscle missing from his right arm.
According to a Manhattan Supreme Court case filed last week, Pavone is suing the Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC), alleging the "dog was hazardous and should never have been offered to the general public."
On May 11, his mother Christine, who died of cancer, adopted the 86-pound dog from ACC and returned him to their Graniteville home.
The family's first sign of problems came the next morning, on Mother's Day, when Pavone's father was lunged at by the dog.
"My father went to get some water in the morning, and the dog tried to attack him," Pavone recounted, adding that his father "lifted up a Swiffer to defend himself, and the dog smashed the Swiffer and hurled it to the side."
"It had my father pinned in the kitchen, and I grabbed him by the collar," Pavone said. Then he became quiet," Pavone told The Washington Post.
Pavone was preparing to leave for a Mother's Day meal with his family when Jaxx became aggressive again and attempted to attack him twice, he said.
Pavone claims he yelled at the dog the first time, which slink back to his bed. "This time he went right for my leg," Pavone said as he tried to flee again.
"I took a step back... "He lunged for my neck after I slid down the stairs," Pavone alleged. "I raised my hand, and he grabbed my arm and top of my head." That's why my face was covered with blood."
"Unbeknownst to the Pavones, the ACC puppy they acquired was a ticking time bomb,"
Pavone was trying to defend himself as they dog latched his teeth in his arm.
Photo credit: Matthew McDermott
"Then he began ripping into my right arm and tugging at it," Pavone explained.
Christine hurled a chair at the dog, who then went for Pavone's left arm after releasing his right arm. Pavone's father finally took Jaxx by the collar and tossed him out onto the patio, according to Pavone.
Pavone added, "I was genuinely astonished, adrenaline was racing." "I was attempting to reclaim my arm."
Pavone was admitted to the hospital and required surgery on his right arm, which is still lacking a muscle. He also claimed to have puncture wounds on his head and left arm.
Pavone was particularly taken aback by the attack because when his mother brought Jaxx home from ACC, he had quickly taken to him. "I went for a walk with him." I gave him food. He slept next to me on the couch that night," he said. "I couldn't understand why he would do this after how well I treated him. I was stunned and distraught."
Pavone claims he has been afraid around dogs since the attack. "I've never been terrified of dogs." He answered, "I had a handful growing up." "I was scared every time I walked past a dog after that occurrence."
"I think they should have done more study on the dog," Pavone adds of the shelter. There had to be a problem with him. He had no motive to behave in such manner. He was a cruel man."
Jaxx was dubbed "the friendly giant" by the shelter, according to Pavone.
"I hope this never happens to anyone else," Pavone added, stressing that his 6-year-old nephew was there at the time of the incident.
"He would have been killed if it had happened to [my nephew]," Pavone claimed.
According to his lawsuit, the ACC neglected to adequately "screen" the dog before it was adopted. According to the complaint, the ACC also "failed to issue an adequate warning to the adopter."
Pavone is seeking specific damages in his lawsuit. Pavone's mother acquired the puppy "hoping to bring some happiness to their home, while she was losing her battle with lung cancer," according to his lawyer, Ronald H. Roth.
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