An animal shelter volunteer who was attacked by a dog in California has been awarded $450,000 in a settlement after suffering severe and permanent injuries. Emily Moncur, 46, was photographing dogs at the OC Animal Care facility in Tustin in August 2023 when a Labrador retriever and beagle mix named Blaze pinned her against a kennel door and bit her at least 18 times, according to a lawsuit.
The Incident
Moncur sustained injuries to her arms, legs, neck, and buttocks during the attack. The lawsuit alleged that the shelter failed to warn her of the dog's history of aggression, which reportedly stemmed from a prior cruelty case. Moncur told the Orange County Register that the dog had been "fast tracked for adoption" and featured at a public event just two days before the attack, despite its history.
Safety Concerns
Court documents also detailed safety concerns at the facility. The complaint alleged that volunteers were required to work alone without adequate training and that staffing shortages left no one nearby to assist during the incident. The suit also claimed that staff members did not hear Moncur's screams because employees were encouraged to wear earplugs while working.
Legal Proceedings
Orange County officials initially contested the negligence claims, arguing in a December court filing that Moncur had "knowingly assumed" the risks of volunteering. However, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the settlement during a closed-door session on March 10. The settlement was detailed in court records seen by the Los Angeles Times.
Impact on the Victim
Moncur reported that she continues to suffer from nerve damage and visible scarring. "The events of that day left me scarred both physically and mentally and continue to haunt me to this day and will for many years to come, probably the rest of my life," she said in a statement to the Register. "Unfortunately, there are only cosmetic procedures to help heal the physical injuries and scars, and nothing can be done for the nerve damage."
Notice of the settlement was filed in Orange County Superior Court in mid-April.
