MONTGOMERY, Ill., March 18 (UPI) -- Michael and Heather Mengarelli of Aurora, Ill., are suing a veterinary clinic and the owner of the mastiff they say mauled their Pomeranian to death.
Their lawsuit, filed in Kane County court, says their 3-year-old, 5-pound dog Dolce was mauled at the Orchard Road Animal Hospital's Dec. 2 "Santa Paws" holiday open house by a 152-pound mastiff owned by Sugar Grove resident Angela Marquardt, the Chicago Tribune reported Friday.
Dolce was freed from the other dog's grip but died a short time later in an examination room.
The lawsuit, which seeks $50,000 and unspecified damages for emotional distress, says Marquardt failed to control her dog and did not act to halt the attack. The suit says the veterinary staff failed to keep order.
"Many of these dogs were out of control and appeared agitated," the lawsuit states.
The Tribune said the clinic and Marquardt did not return calls for comment.
