EDWARDSVILLE - An Alton man claims his granddaughter was attacked by two dogs without provocation.
Gerald L. Harrison; Kayleigh Welch, a minor, by her mother Shanetra Matlock, and Shanetra Matlock, individually, filed a lawsuit in the Madison County Circuit Court against Anthony A. Chiello, Brittany R. Ritchey and Steve Atkins, alleging violation of the Animal Control Act and negligence.
According to the lawsuit, Harrison resided on Sunnyside Street in Alton, and Chiello resided at Winkler Avenue in Alton with two American bulldogs. Harrison claims he was at his home with his granddaughter, Welch, on May 10, 2021, when Chiello's dogs "viciously attacked" Welch without provocation. Harrison claims he was also attacked when he attempted to stop the dogs from attacking his granddaughter.
The plaintiffs claim they were caused to suffer temporary and permanently disabling injuries and scars, pain and suffering, medical expenses, future expenditures for care, prevention from attending usual affairs and duties and loss of great gains that would have otherwise been made and acquired.
The plaintiffs allege the defendants negligently failed to monitor the dogs efficiently as to become aware of the frequency of the dogs' unmanageable behavior, negligently owned and harboring dogs on the premises when they knew or reasonably should have known the animals to be vicious and failed to cage or leash the dogs for restraint.
The plaintiffs seek a sum in excess of $50,000, plus interest and court costs. They are represented by Rodney D. Caffey of The Caffey Law Firm LLC in Godfrey.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 22-LA-000208