Family sues over attack by dog

WARREN -- A Leavittsburg family is suing a Warren woman whose dog bit a Leavittsburg girl in 2002, producing an injury that required 140 stitches to her face.
The lawsuit, filed in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court this week, asks for more than $75,000 along with interest and the cost of of the litigation. The case is assigned to Judge W. Wyatt McKay.
The suit was filed by Jennifer and Raymond Duncan of 558 Gillmer Road, Leavittsburg, and their daughter, Noelle Duncan, a minor. It names as defendants Elizabeth Castle of 1611 Bonnie Brae N.E. and John Does 1 through 5.
The suit says the girl was playing in her yard June 6, 2002, when a dog owned by Castle viciously attacked her. The attack caused severe and permanent injuries, great pain, loss of enjoyment of life, mental anguish and emergency medical and surgical care, according to the suit.
The action says Castle's and/or John Does 1 through 5 were owners and/or harborers of a "vicious" or dangerous dog as defined by Ohio law living at 1611 Bonnie Brae N.E. The suit says the John Does may be the owners of property and/or the residence involved in the complaint.
The suit says the defendants failed to confine and/or secure the dog to ensure that the dog could not hurt anyone, failed to provide a notice that a vicious dog was being kept on the premises and kept the dog despite knowing it was a vicious animal.