FULL VIDEO AT THE END OF THIS POST
THIS EMOTIONAL CASE TOOK A SHARP TURN IN JUDGE JUDY'S COURTROOM!
A Tragic Loss Leads to a Lawsuit
Imagine the shock of seeing your beloved pet attacked.
Now imagine that happening right outside your home.
This is the heartbreaking scenario that brought Angela, the plaintiff, to Judge Judy's courtroom.
She is suing her neighbor, the defendant, after a dog visiting the defendant's house attacked and killed Angela's pet rabbit, Rudy.
Angela is seeking $2,500.
The Plaintiff's Account of the Attack
Angela described the terrifying incident.
She was watching television when she heard a commotion.
A black lab, she says, jumped into her garden and then onto her patio.
The dog was tearing apart Rudy's cage.
Angela tried to intervene.
She fought the dog with her fists.
She tried to get the dog's attention on her instead of Rudy.
She says she fell and hurt her back, arm, and upper thigh during the struggle.
The dog continued to attack Rudy.
Rudy was ultimately killed.
Angela confirmed that the attacking dog was not the defendant's pet.
It was a dog visiting the defendant's house.
The Defendant Explains the Dog's Presence
The defendant explained her side of the story.
She was selling her car because she was moving to Israel.
A woman came to her house to look at the car.
The defendant stated she did not know the woman was bringing a dog.
She opened her door to let the woman out to the parking area.
Suddenly, she heard screaming.
She saw Angela running and yelling that her rabbit was killed.
The woman with the dog then left.
The $100 Gesture of Goodwill
Judge Judy noted that the defendant had already given Angela some money.
The defendant confirmed she gave Angela $100.
She explained that she felt very sorry for Angela.
Angela was crying and calling her frequently.
The defendant understood Angela's love for her rabbit.
She felt bad for Angela's loss.
Judge Judy clarified that the $100 was given so Angela could replace the rabbit.
The defendant reiterated that she offered the money because Angela was crying.
She said it was not an admission of responsibility.
Angela's Disappointment with the Defendant's Reaction
Angela expressed her disappointment with the defendant.
She said she brought the defendant to her house.
She wanted the defendant to see what the dog had done to Rudy.
The defendant refused to look.
She would not go out to see the scene.
Judge Judy addressed Angela's expectation.
She explained that not everyone can look at an animal that has been brutalized.
She reminded Angela that it was not the defendant's dog.
The defendant tried to do what she thought was right.
She sent money so Angela could replace the rabbit.
Judge Judy acknowledged that no one can truly replace a pet.
The Plaintiff's Claim for $2,500
Judge Judy then asked Angela about the $2,500 she was suing for.
Angela explained her medical expenses.
She said she went to the emergency room.
This cost $392.20.
She stated she overextended her thumb.
She has had problems with it ever since.
Angela also claimed she sprained her ankle and hurt her back.
She included costs for home recovery exercises, ice packs, and a heating pad.
She admitted she did not actually buy these items.
Angela also mentioned Rudy's cage.
She said the defendant suggested burying Rudy in the garden.
Judge Judy's Assessment of the Situation
Judge Judy found Angela to be "super sensitive."
She believed the defendant was not being insensitive.
Angela had not seen the dog on the property before.
She had not seen the dog since.