Benjamin Harrison Chertok has filed a lawsuit seeking damages after a dog attack at a popular restaurant. The complaint was lodged in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Pinellas County, on January 29, 2025, against Allen Vania and The Boys in the Burg LLC, operating as The Big Catch at Salt Creek.
According to the court documents, Benjamin Chertok claims that on June 11, 2023, while dining at The Big Catch at Salt Creek in St. Petersburg, Florida, he was bitten by a dog owned by Allen Vania. Chertok alleges that Vania's dog attacked him unprovoked as he walked along a main walkway area of the restaurant. He contends that the incident resulted in serious and permanent injuries including bodily harm, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of earnings. Chertok argues that Vania should have been aware of his dog's vicious nature and failed to secure it properly. "Defendant... had a duty to ensure that persons such as Plaintiff... were safe from attacks by his DOG," states the complaint.
The lawsuit further accuses The Boys in the Burg LLC of negligence for not implementing adequate safety protocols to protect patrons from dogs allowed on their premises. Chertok asserts that as an establishment permitting dogs, they should have maintained guidelines to prevent such incidents. "Defendant... breached its duty... by failing to maintain and/or put in place safety guidelines," claims the document.
Chertok is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 for his injuries and losses. He demands judgment against both defendants for their alleged negligence under Florida Statutes § 767.04 regarding dog owner liability and general negligence principles.
Representing Benjamin Chertok is attorney John L. Mulvihill from Thacker and Mulvihill PLLC based in Clearwater, Florida. The case is presided over by Judge Ken Burke under Case Number 25-000424-CI.