A dog attack in a quiet Boca Raton neighborhood has escalated into a legal battle, with serious allegations of negligence. Janet Pitterson filed a complaint on October 23, 2024, in the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida, against Susan Chinchillo and Charleston Place Homeowners’ Association, Inc., seeking damages exceeding $50,000.
The case stems from an incident on June 11, 2024, when Pitterson was allegedly attacked by a dog owned by her neighbor Susan Chinchillo. The attack occurred at Pitterson's residence on Michaux Street within the Charleston Place community. According to the complaint, Pitterson suffered significant injuries that are both permanent and continuing. She claims these injuries resulted from Chinchillo’s negligence in controlling her dog, identified as a Belgian Malinois. The plaintiff asserts that this negligence led to bodily harm and subsequent pain and suffering, mental anguish, and financial losses due to medical expenses and lost earnings.
Pitterson also accuses Charleston Place Homeowners’ Association of failing to maintain a safe environment for its residents. She alleges that the association neglected its duty to enforce policies preventing dangerous animals from being housed within the community. The complaint outlines several failures on the part of Charleston Place: not implementing adequate safety measures or monitoring practices to deter dangerous animals; not enforcing reasonable policies to protect residents; and failing to exercise diligence in upholding these standards. As a result of these alleged lapses, Pitterson claims she endured physical and emotional distress.
In her lawsuit, Pitterson seeks compensatory damages for past and future medical expenses, loss of earnings capacity, and other related costs. She is demanding judgment against both defendants for their respective roles in her injuries—Chinchillo for owning the aggressive dog and Charleston Place for not ensuring community safety through effective regulations.
Representing Janet Pitterson are attorneys David T. Aronberg and Jesse L. Young from the Law Offices of Aronberg & Aronberg based in Delray Beach, Florida. The case is assigned Case Number 502024CA010139XXXAMB.