Pontoon Beach woman sues landlord and dog owner after 'Scrappy' bites

A Pontoon Beach woman is suing her landlord and her neighbors after allegedly being bitten by a dog she says has a history of aggression.

Diann Straeter filed the complaint against Susan and Jessica Pratt and ARC Quality Beach LLC, doing business as Mallard Lake Mobile Home Community, Oct. 6 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Straeter says she was bitten by the Pratts' dog in February while living next door to them in Mallard Lake. She says the Pratts' dog, Scrappy, came up behind her and bit her on the arm. Straeter contends the dog's owners are responsible for her medical expenses and the pain she endured because of the bite.

Straeter is also suing ARC Quality Beach LLC, the owner and manager of Mallard Lake Mobile Home Community, because Scrappy had allegedly been a problem in the neighborhood prior to the incident in Feburary. Straeters claims Scrappy bit a child riding a bike and growled and snapped at several other people. Straeter argues ARC Quality Beach knew the dog was dangerous and did nothing to prevent it from running loose in the mobile home park.

Straeter is asking for $200,000 for her medical costs, pain and suffering along with court costs.

She is represented by Eric W. Evans and Dawn Kamadulski O'Leary of Granite City.

Madison County Circuit Court Case No. 10-L-1036