Beaumont dog owner sued over alleged pit bull attack

A Beaumont dog owner is accused of allowing four pit bulls to attack a passer-by.

Jeff Carnley, by and through his parent and legal guardian, Barbara Carnley, filed a lawsuit against Timothy Rozell and Ali Habibnia on Aug. 8 in Jefferson County District Court. 

According to the complaint, Rozell owned four pit bulls at West Park Addition, a property on North Major Drive owned by Habibnia of Beaumont. Barbara Carnley says her son was walking his dog outside Rozell's residence on April 25 when the pit bulls attacked Jeff Carnley and his dog.

The dog bites were severe enough to cause serious, permanent injuries to Jeff Carnley, according to the lawsuit. His mother says Rozell and Habibnia both knew the pit bulls were dangerous but failed to take steps necessary to avoid the alleged attack.

Barbara Carnley accuses Rozell and Habibnia of negligence and alleges they are liable for her son's injuries. She is asking for an unspecified amount of money in damages.

Attorney Adam Nichols of Reaud, Morgan & Quinn in Beaumont represents Carnley. They request a jury trial.

The case number is Jefferson County District Court case D-195958.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at the Jefferson County District Court. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note that a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt and it represents only one side of the story.