Volunteer Sues Orange County Animal Shelter After Dog Mauling
URGENT UPDATE: A volunteer at the Orange County Animal Care shelter in Tustin, California, is taking legal action following a horrific dog mauling incident. Emily Moncur, 45, was bitten 18 times by a dog named Blaze during a photography session on August 21, 2023. The attack left her unconscious and with “extremely serious injuries, physically and psychologically,” according to her attorney.
The lawsuit, filed on August 18, alleges that shelter supervisors negligently left Moncur alone with Blaze, a black-and-white Labrador retriever and beagle mix, without any warning about the dog’s aggressive tendencies. Moncur claims her screams went unheard, exacerbating the situation as the animal became increasingly agitated.
“This is a story about a preventable incident caused by a dereliction of duties,” stated Moncur’s attorney, John Montevideo, from the Dog Bite Law Group in Irvine. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages while highlighting the urgent need for accountability at the shelter, which serves 14 cities and took in 1,435 animals just last month.
Moncur was at the shelter photographing dogs when she attempted to return Blaze to his kennel. The dog attacked her, biting her on the arms, legs, buttocks, and neck, pinning her against the kennel door. Moncur struggled for approximately seven minutes, desperately seeking help while Blaze remained latched onto her arm.
The lawsuit emphasizes that Moncur was not given any training on how to handle a dog attack and that the shelter lacked adequate safety measures. Volunteers were reportedly required to work alone, and staff members were encouraged to wear earplugs, reducing their ability to hear cries for assistance.
The legal documents assert that the county had prior knowledge of Blaze’s dangerous behavior and failed to implement necessary precautions to protect staff and volunteers. Moncur’s attorney argued that had help arrived sooner, her injuries could have been significantly less severe.
The county has not commented on the pending litigation, but this case raises serious questions about the safety protocols at animal shelters and the responsibilities of those who operate them.
WHAT’S NEXT: As the lawsuit unfolds, the focus will be on how Orange County Animal Care responds to these allegations and whether policy changes will be implemented to prevent future incidents. Advocates are calling for immediate action to ensure the safety of both volunteers and animals at shelters.
This developing story underscores the critical importance of safety in animal care environments and the need for comprehensive training and support for volunteers who work with potentially dangerous animals.
