FULL VIDEO AT THE END OF THE POST
The Service Dog Attack
Minji Zhai sued coffee shop owner Pamela Stallings.
Ms. Zhai sought compensation for vet bills.
Her service dog, Foxy, was attacked by Ms. Stallings' dogs.
The incident occurred inside Ms. Stallings' coffee shop.
Ms. Zhai claimed Ms. Stallings' dogs were unleashed.
Ms. Stallings presented an "interesting defense."
She acknowledged her dogs might have bitten Foxy.
However, Ms. Stallings claimed the incident was Ms. Zhai's fault.
Ms. Stallings' explanation of events was described as "bizarre."
Judge Judy indicated that if Ms. Stallings' story were true, Ms. Zhai would appear to be "a nut."
Prior Visits to the Coffee Shop
Ms. Zhai confirmed she had visited the coffee shop before February 5th, 2018.
She had not brought her dog on most previous visits.
Ms. Zhai stated she had never seen Ms. Stallings' dogs there until the day of the incident.
Ms. Stallings confirmed she owned two dogs.
She described them as pit lab mixes.
The dogs were almost two years old.
The Dogs' Presence and Control
Judge Judy asked if the dogs stayed unleashed in the coffee shop.
Ms. Stallings denied this.
She explained that her friend, Mike, had walked the dogs.
Mike wanted coffee and did not take the dogs to Ms. Stallings' house.
Ms. Stallings described Mike as a casual customer-friend.
She communicated with him via text messages for dog walking.
Mike had been walking the dogs for about a month.
He walked them once or twice a week.
Before Mike, no one else walked the dogs.
The Incident Unfolds
On February 5th, 2018, Ms. Zhai entered the coffee shop with Foxy.
She stated there were two patrons inside.
Ms. Zhai described the door as open.
Ms. Stallings' two dogs came out from the back room.
They sniffed Foxy.
Then, both dogs bit Foxy.
Ms. Zhai testified that the impact of the bites moved Foxy.
Foxy was moved from the door entrance to behind the door.
Ms. Zhai and her friend, Jessica, screamed.
Ms. Zhai then picked Foxy up.
Immediate Aftermath and Apology
A patron in the coffee shop remarked, "Oh, dogs will be dogs."
Ms. Stallings then approached Ms. Zhai.
Ms. Stallings apologized for the incident.
She offered to pay for Ms. Zhai's vet bills.
Ms. Zhai recalled being shocked by the events.
Ms. Stallings' Contradictory Account
Judge Judy asked Ms. Stallings to explain her version of events.
Ms. Stallings claimed the side door was unlocked but shut.
She alleged that Ms. Zhai rattled the door.
Ms. Stallings also claimed Ms. Zhai made noise while talking.
Furthermore, Ms. Stallings asserted that Ms. Zhai "threw the dog in."
She stated Ms. Zhai did not enter the shop herself at that moment.
Judge Judy's Disbelief
Judge Judy called Ms. Stallings' story "cockamamie."
She described it as a "stupid part of the story."
Judge Judy expressed her disbelief that an "intelligent woman who runs a business" would tell such a story.
She questioned Ms. Stallings' claim.
Judge Judy asked if Ms. Stallings wanted her to believe that Ms. Zhai, who takes her calm service dog everywhere, threw the dog into the coffee shop.
Ms. Stallings insisted, "She did."
Judge Judy responded, "You're an idiot."
The Extent of Foxy's Injuries
Ms. Stallings claimed, "Only one dog bit her."
She stated Foxy sustained three puncture wounds.
The wounds were a centimeter deep.
Ms. Zhai confirmed the depth of the wounds.
The Offer to Pay and Subsequent Request
Ms. Stallings reiterated that she told Ms. Zhai to go to the vet.
She promised to pay the bill.
Ms. Zhai reportedly said, "You're going to pay for this."
Ms. Stallings expressed regret about the incident.
However, she also stated she was "more sorry" that Ms. Zhai was trying to "capitalize on it."
Ms. Stallings claimed Ms. Zhai called her 10 minutes after leaving for the vet.
During that call, Ms. Zhai allegedly said, "I'm coming back and I want $500."
The Vet Bills
Judge Judy asked about the total amount of the vet bills.
Ms. Stallings initially estimated "at least 2,000."
Judge Judy requested to see the actual vet bills.
Ms. Zhai confirmed she had the original invoices.
The total amount for both veterinarians was $2,100.
The Verdict
Judge Judy ruled in favor of the plaintiff.
She ordered Ms. Stallings to pay Ms. Zhai $2,100.
The case concluded with the bodies excused.