Woman badly injured in dog attack at California animal shelter awarded $5.4 million by jury

"Genice Horta was hired by the HIT Living Foundation to transport the dog from the shelter to Arizona in September 2020, but wasn't advised of his bite history or any previous behavior, according to the complaint. Horta was told the dog had kennel anxiety, so she brought a treat with a sedative for the drive to Arizona."

"Horta was attacked by Maximus in the shelter parking lot, resulting in permanent injuries. A jury awarded Horta more than $5.4 million in damages in a late February verdict. The city of Los Angeles was found responsible for 62.5% of Horta's harm, the HIT Living Foundation and individuals Heather Crowe and Alix Novak were found responsible for 25% of her harm."

"Maximus' bite history, which included biting a child and a shelter employee. She was attacked by Maximus in the shelter parking lot, resulting in permanent injuries. HIT Living's involvement was limited to facilitating the dog's release so he could be transferred to Pampering Pets, according to a statement from the foundation."

Genice Horta was hired by the HIT Living Foundation to transport a Belgian Malinois named Maximus from the East Valley Animal Shelter to Arizona in September 2020. She was not informed of Maximus' documented bite history, which included biting a child and a shelter employee. While attempting to give the dog a treat in the shelter parking lot, Maximus attacked Horta, causing permanent injuries. A jury awarded Horta over $5.4 million in damages. The city of Los Angeles was found 62.5% responsible, HIT Living Foundation and individuals Heather Crowe and Alix Novak were found 25% responsible, and Horta was found 12.5% responsible for her injuries.

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