Granite City mother sues over daughter's dog bite injury

The mother of a minor girl has filed suit against the owner of a German Shepherd and Lab mix, claiming the dog viciously attacked her daughter without provocation.

Lashawna Harper alleges her minor daughter, Kenyada M. Jennings, was peaceably conducting herself in their neighborhood on Edwards Street in Granite City on Oct. 2 when defendant Bettie M. Avery's dog attacked her, biting her on her upper lip.

Because of the unprovoked attack, Jennings suffered great fright, shock, physical pain, mental anguish and inconvenience; incurred medical costs; sustained permanent scarring, disfigurement and injury to her face; and lost her enjoyment for life, according to the complaint filed March 18 in Madison County Circuit Court. In addition, Harper incurred medical costs for her daughter's treatment, the suit states.

Avery negligently failed to monitor her dog to become aware of its unmanageable behavior; harbored a dog that she knew to be unreasonably dangerous; and failed to cage, leash or restrain the dog, the complaint says.

In her four-count suit, Harper is seeking a judgment in excess of $200,000, plus interest, costs and other relief the court deems just.

D. Jeffrey Ezra of Ezra and Associates in Collinsville will be representing her.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-307.