Trial Magazine

Tracey Honan was walking her dogs at a park when she observed a pit bull that was alone and not under anyone’s control. The pit bull rapidly approached Honan and her dogs and began to attack one of them. Honan attempted to free her dog’s throat from the pit bull’s jaws. She suffered multiple bite wounds to her hands and forearms, a fractured finger, and abrasions and contusions to both knees.

Honan sued the pit bull’s purported owner or keeper, alleging liability under the state’s dog owner liability statute.

The jury awarded the plaintiff $650,000.

Citation: Honan v. Skoczylas, No. 2184CV02257-C (Mass. Super. Ct. Suffolk Cnty. Mar. 15, 2024).

Plaintiff counsel: Dillon Brozyna, AAJ member Nicholas A. Brown, and Christina M. Bonelli, all of Boston; and Michael T. Harris, Bedford, N.H.