Couple sues city of Campbell over son’s injuries

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

A Youngstown couple is suing the city of Campbell for $7,500 because they said a police dog charged their 8-year-old son, gripped his arm and dragged him to the ground Nov. 26, 2011, as he played in the yard at his grandmother’s Campbell residence.

Miles and Angel Assion of Rush Boulevard, Youngstown, said their son, Patrick, suffered bruises, anxiety and nightmares after the dog, named Storm, charged him while being walked by John Gulu, an off-duty Campbell police officer.

Campbell Police Sgt. John Rusnak said shortly after the incident that a police dog can’t differentiate between a boy running while playing and a fleeing criminal suspect.

But the boy’s mother said the dog should not have been off his leash.

The lawsuit, filed Monday by Atty. Charles E. Dunlap, said Officer Gulu “was negligent for not having Storm properly restrained.”

The case is assigned to Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Saying he had not seen the lawsuit, Campbell City Law Director Brian Macala declined to comment.