East Carondelet woman sues over unprovoked dog bite

An East Carondelet woman is suing a dog owner she says should have protected her from the allegedly "vicious" animal.

In the suit filed Oct. 22 in St. Clair County Circuit Court, Karie Darnell says she was seriously hurt when she was bitten by Patti Mossbacher's dog.

Darnell says she was at Mossbacher's home on Water Street in East Carondelet in March 2009 when the mixed breed dog bit her "without provocation."

Darnell says the dog caused injuries to her wrist, arm and leg that led to a serious infection to the tissues, tendons, nerves and muscles. She says she suffered permanent damage to the nerves, soft tissues, tendons, ligaments, flesh and blood vessels in her arm and wrist.

Darnell contends Mossbacher knew the dog was "vicious" and has a propensity to be aggressive and violent because it had allegedly bitten people before. She says Mossbacher failed to warn her about the animal or properly control it.

Court records show Darnell has paid $3,000 in medical bills and lost about $1,000 wages. She is asking for more than $50,000 in damages.

Attorneys William K. Meehan and Kelly B. Chevalier of the Meehan Law Firm in University City are representing Darnell.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 10-L-555