BELLEVILLE – A mother is suing Belleville residents after their dog allegedly attacked her daughter while she was a guest at their home.
Plaintiff Melissa Church filed the lawsuit on behalf of her minor daughter in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against defendants Eutorial L. Devine, also known as Eutorial Reed, citing negligence in violation of the state's Animal Control Act.
According to the lawsuit, on Nov. 20, 2021, Church's daughter was a guest of the defendants and went to their Belleville residence to play with their daughter. The defendants owned a dog which jumped over the fence of the defendants' property and attacked Church's daughter, causing her serious injuries.
As a result of her injuries, Church's daughter reportedly suffered disfigurement, pain and suffering. The suit states that she has incurred medical expenses and will continue to require further medical treatment in the future.
The lawsuit alleges that before the incident, the dog had a history of leaping over the fence. Church says the defendants should have known that their dogs had a propensity to escape and become unsecured.
The suit states that under the Illinois Control Act, the owner of the dog is liable for injuries caused by the animal.
Church is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus court costs and any other relief the court deems proper. They are represented in this case by attorneys Gary K. Burger and Genevieve M. Fikes of Burger Law, LLC. in St. Louis.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 22LA0856