GALVESTON – A city of Galveston sanitation worker claims a dog attacked him while he was collecting garbage in the West End of Galveston Island.
Bruce Serges claims Joseph Ender allowed the dog "to run at large" and bite him, according to a suit filed Oct. 25 in Galveston County District Court.
Serges was retrieving trash from homes in Pirates Beach on Galveston's West End on March 29 when the unleashed canine approached him.
"Mr. Serges and the dog both froze at which time the dog began growling and showing its teeth," the original petition states.
"The dog then barked toward Mr. Serges who then anxiously fled toward the sanitation truck for safety. As Mr. Serges hurriedly jumped to the truck, his knee popped wherein his patella tendon tore or ruptured."
The plaintiff could not determine whether the canine was a pit bull mix or a boxer, the suit states.
His co-worker fended the animal off with a pitchfork and informed their employer of the alleged incident.
Police were then summoned to the area, but missed defendant Ender by a few minutes, the suit says.
Ender was later found and cited for the dog apparently not having restraints and city-mandated tags.
Serges seeks unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.
He is represented by attorney Nathan A. Hardee of League City.
The case has been assigned to Galveston County 56th District Court Judge Lonnie Cox.
Case No. 10-cv-4018