A Harris County woman has filed a lawsuit seeking over $1 million in damages after being viciously attacked by an unrestrained pit bull. The complaint, filed by Mayra Rico on July 16, 2024, in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, names Oscar D. Torres, Reina Torres, Oscar Flores doing business as Golden Bear Collision Center, and Rogelio Munoz-Rivera as defendants.
According to the court documents, the incident occurred on June 25, 2024, at the premises of Golden Bear Collision Center located at 9741 North Houston-Rosslyn Road in Harris County. Plaintiff Mayra Rico was a customer at the auto repair shop when she was suddenly and violently attacked by a pit bull owned or controlled by defendant Rogelio Munoz-Rivera. The attack left Rico with severe injuries that required emergency medical treatment and multiple surgeries. "Plaintiff's arm was partially severed as a result of the attack and had to be re-attached surgically," states the complaint.
The lawsuit details that defendants Oscar D. Torres and Reina Torres own several properties in close proximity to each other along North Houston-Rosslyn Road and that one such property is used by defendant Oscar Flores for his business operations under the name Golden Bear Collision Center. Defendant Munoz-Rivera is alleged to be an employee of Flores and owns or controls the pit bull involved in the attack.
Rico accuses all named defendants of negligence and creating an unreasonably dangerous condition on their premises by allowing an aggressive dog to roam freely without restraint. The complaint asserts that both Flores and Munoz-Rivera knew or should have known about the dog's dangerous propensities but failed to take necessary precautions to prevent harm. Additionally, it alleges that defendants failed to warn customers like Rico about the potential danger posed by the dog.
The plaintiff seeks judgment against all defendants for actual damages exceeding $1 million. She is asking for compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, physical impairment, pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, and disfigurement. Furthermore, Rico requests prejudgment interest, post-judgment interest, court costs, and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Representing Mayra Rico are attorneys Andrea E. Ones (Texas Bar No. 24051520) and Heriberto R. Montalvo (Texas Bar No. 24102231) from their office located at 3700 Montrose Boulevard in Houston, Texas. The case has been assigned Case ID 2024-44452 in the 61st Judicial District Court of Harris County with Judge Marilyn Burgess presiding.