Man files lawsuit against ACCT Philly and Fairmount Park Conservancy following dog attack that led to partial amputation of both legs.

A man has initiated legal action against the Animal Care and Control Team (ACCT) of Philadelphia and the Fairmount Park Conservancy following a traumatic dog attack in West Fairmount Park this past January. The incident, which occurred on January 10, involved a group of dogs attacking two individuals, resulting in severe injuries.

According to reports from law enforcement officials, police responded to a call around 6:30 a.m. concerning the attack near 2200 Chamounix Drive. Upon their arrival, the victims had already been transported to medical facilities. A 61-year-old man suffered critical injuries and was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, while a 60-year-old man, who sustained less severe injuries, was evaluated at Lankenau Medical Center and later discharged the same day.

The plaintiff, 58-year-old Peter Cahill, filed the lawsuit on Monday in the Philadelphia Common Pleas Court. The legal proceedings detail Cahill’s extensive injuries, including multiple dog bites that required amputations of both legs below the knees, skin grafts on his upper right thigh and right forearm, nerve damage in his right hand, and mental trauma resulting from the incident. The lawsuit also cites significant medical costs associated with his treatment.

Attempts to gather comments from ACCT Philadelphia were unsuccessful, as spokespersons were unavailable. ACCT is a nonprofit entity contracted by the city to provide animal control services. Similarly, representatives from the Fairmount Park Conservancy refrained from commenting, referencing the ongoing litigation.

Reports indicate that the dogs involved were initially sighted by an officer at approximately 2:20 a.m. the same day, leading to a call for ACCT intervention. During the attempt to capture the dogs, an ACCT officer was reportedly attacked and knocked to the ground, prompting a response where the officer discharged a firearm, though it was not effective in capturing the animals. Some dogs were eventually subdued, but a number remained unaccounted for at the time of the attack on Cahill and the second victim.

The lawsuit alleges that ACCT personnel were cognizant of previous reports regarding the presence of aggressive dogs in Fairmount Park. The complaint asserts that the failure of the Animal Control Officer to adequately secure the area left the public vulnerable to danger. Additionally, a good Samaritan reportedly intervened to assist Cahill upon discovering him injured, but was subsequently attacked by the same group of dogs.

In light of these events, the lawsuit argues that both ACCT and the Fairmount Park Conservancy failed in their statutory obligations under Pennsylvania law, which mandates providing safety and protection to the public in the park. The legal representation for Cahill, Golkow Hessel LLC, is seeking a judgment exceeding ,000, along with any additional financial remedies deemed appropriate by the court.

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