Suit claims $2K car damage from dog bites

PECOS, N.M., Jan. 12 (UPI) -- A New Mexico man is suing his neighbors, claiming their dog caused $2,000 worth of damage to a car by tearing off a piece of its rear bumper.

Richard Lienau of Pecos claims in his lawsuit against Steve Griego and his teenage daughter Jerica that the family's dog, which he estimated at about 75 pounds and of unknown breed, caused $2,000 worth of damage to a Volvo parked in his yard after earlier causing $5,000 damage to another area vehicle and killing another neighbor's dog, The (Santa Fe) New Mexican reported Wednesday.

The lawsuit, filed in district court last week by lawyer John Aragon of Santa Fe, seeks damages and an injunction against the father and daughter.

However, Christina Griego, wife of Steve, said the family's two dogs are smaller than 75 pounds and not aggressive, as they were described by Lienau.

"The Shih Tzu, she thinks she's vicious, of course. You know how the little dogs make the most noise? The other one is a little bit off, I think. She goes up to you and she twists her head so you can pet her. She's a friendly dog. She doesn't do stuff like this, and she stays basically in the yard," she said.