Lawsuit: "Emotional Support" Pit Bull Mauled 5-Year-Old at Portland Airport

A woman has filed a negligence lawsuit against Alaska Airlines, the Port of Portland and the owner of a pit bull for $1.1 million on behalf of her daughter after she says the dog mauled her 5-year-old.

The lawsuit, which was filed on Monday in Multnomah County Circuit Court, says Mirna Gonzalez and her children were waiting in the terminal for their Alaska Airlines flight back to Texas, when Mirna stepped away to grab some coffee. While she was away, 5-year-old Gabriella asked Michelle Brannan, the pit bull's owner if she could pet the dog. The moment she reached out her hand, the pit bull bit the 5-year-old in the face, leaving her bloodied, the lawsuit says.

Brennan's pit bull was not in a crate when the animal went through the Alaska ticketing process and passed through Port of Portland security, the lawsuit states.

"Ms. Brannan claimed the pit bull was an emotional support animal," according to the lawsuit. 

"As a result of the incident, Gabriella Gonzalez suffered injury to the muscles, tendons, bones, nerves and soft tissue of her face, eye, eyelid, tear duct and lip, as well as emotional trauma; all of which injuries, and the consequences of them, are permanent and have caused her to suffer non‐economic damages... $1 million," according to the lawsuit.

Gabriella was forced to undergo tear-duct surgery, leaving her with permanent scars. The pit bull also disfigured the 5-year-old's upper lip, leaving a chunk of it missing, the lawsuit states. The lawsuit targets Brannan, Alaska Airlines and the Port of Portland alleging that the dog was allowed in the airport without a carrier.

According to a KATU 2 report at the time, the pit bull was quarantined at an animal shelter for 10 days following the incident and Brannan was cited by police for failing to crate the animal.

Last year, Alaska Airlines joined several other carriers in changing their policy on emotional support animals and how they can travel with passengers. According to the airline's new rules, the only animals allowed on board flights are cats and dogs, which must be kept on a leash at all times. Passengers must also provide a 48-hour notice before thier flights that they intend to bring an animal on board.

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