Volunteer sues Orange County after dog attack at shelter

A volunteer has sued the County of Orange and OC Animal Care, alleging gross negligence after a dog attack at the county shelter in Tustin left her with at least 18 bite wounds.

Emily Moncur filed the complaint in Orange County Superior Court and is represented by Montevideo Law. The incident occurred Aug. 21, 2023, when she attempted to return a dog named Blaze to its kennel after photographing 14 animals.

"Upon returning the dog to his kennel and attempting to leave, Plaintiff was violently attacked by the dog, suffering at least 18 bites across her body on all 4 extremities," the complaint states. Wounds were sustained to her "arms, legs, buttocks, and neck."

According to the filing, Moncur was pinned to the kennel door, lost consciousness, and when she screamed for help nobody came to her rescue. Moncur v. County of Orange et al., 30-2025-01504358-CU-PO-NJC, (O.C. Super., Ct., filed Aug. 18, 2025)

The complaint alleges staff members wore hearing protection preventing them from hearing Moncur as she screamed for help, volunteers were required to work alone with potentially dangerous animals, and no emergency communication devices were available. Moncur's attorneys contend she had received no training on what to do if a dog latched on to her arm while she was working alone.

The complaint stresses that her injuries were exacerbated by the length of the attack.

"Plaintiff contends that the gravity of her injury was not cause[d] by the initial bite from Blaze, but during the ensuing 5-7 minutes she struggled with the dog locked onto her arm, and then the time she had to drag the dog to the front of the facility for help while it was still locked onto and biting Plaintiff's arm," it states.

The complaint further alleges defendants had notice of unsafe conditions at the shelter and that Blaze had known dangerous propensities. Both defendants were served with government claims in February, which were rejected.

Moncur seeks damages for medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. She has demanded a jury trial. The case is assigned to Judge Donald F. Gaffney at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.