Emotional Support Pit Bull Mauls 5-Year-Old At Airport, Mother Sues Owner, Airline

A lawsuit has been filed against the owner of a pit bull and Alaska Airlines after the animal allegedly mauled a 5-year-old at an airport in Portland, Oregon. The $1.1 million suit was filed Monday in Multnomah County by Mirna Gonzalez, mother of the 5-year-old girl, Gabriela.

According to the suit, the woman claimed Michelle Brannan, the dog’s owner, should have known her animal had “vicious propensities.” She accused Alaska Airlines of also being responsible for the injuries to her daughter as the airline allowed the owner to bring a dangerous dog into the gate waiting area without being confined or trained.

The incident took place Dec. 18, 2017, when Gonzalez was waiting at Gate C7 of Portland International Airport. She and her family were waiting to board a flight to Texas. Gabriela was also present there when Brannan entered the area with her pit bull. According to the lawsuit, the dog was not kept in a crate, kennel or other secure container.

The child allegedly asked permission from Brannan to pet the dog and when she came close to the animal, it bit her, causing serious injuries.

“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,” the lawsuit reads, adding that Gabriella was left with permanent scarring and “required surgery to repair complex facial lacerations and a damaged tear duct, and has incurred medical expenses and will incur future medical expenses.”

Brannan had reportedly told the airline the pit bull was an emotional support animal. According to the airline's policies, it does not require emotional support animals to be in crates. The airline's website stated pets must be at least leashed and under control of the owner.

“We welcome trained service animals and emotional support animals,” the website states.

However, the Port of Portland -- the port district responsible for overseeing Portland International Airport -- believes Brannan’s dog should have been in a crate or kennel. The Port of Portland was also named in the lawsuit.

Kama Simonds, a spokeswoman for the Port of Portland, said in an email to the Oregonian on Wednesday the Port may ask a traveler if the dog is a trained service animal and can also ask what service the dog provides.

“The traveler need only answer those questions and we’re required to accept the answer,” she said, but did not specifically comment on the case.

The suit sought $100,000 for past and future medical costs, including the costs of surgery, and $1 million for the girl’s pain and suffering.