Jie Zhang has filed a lawsuit in Harris County, Texas, accusing Brenda Deschner and Michael Deschner of negligence after a vicious dog attack left her with severe injuries. The complaint was filed on December 20, 2024, by Jie Zhang against the Deschners in the District Court of Harris County.
The incident that led to this legal action occurred on December 29, 2022, when Jie Zhang, a 72-year-old resident of Houston, was attacked by a German Shepherd named Sadie. According to the complaint, the dog was owned by Brenda and Michael Deschner and had known dangerous propensities. The attack took place in the neighborhood where both Zhang and the Deschners reside. As per the details provided in the filing, Sadie was not properly restrained at the time of the incident; it ran beyond its home and fencing area to attack Zhang while she was walking outside her residence. The dog charged at her with significant force—an estimated weight of 80 pounds—causing her to fall and sustain serious bodily injuries including a closed fracture of one rib and compression fracture of the thoracic vertebra.
Zhang alleges that the defendants were aware or should have been aware of their dog's aggressive tendencies but failed to take necessary precautions to prevent such an attack. She accuses them of negligence for not restraining Sadie properly or ensuring that their yard was secure enough to prevent access to public sidewalks. Additionally, Zhang claims that Brenda and Michael Deschner violated local ordinances which prohibit allowing dogs to "run at large," constituting negligence per se.
The plaintiff is seeking damages exceeding $250,000 but not more than $1 million for medical expenses incurred due to her injuries as well as compensation for physical pain, mental anguish, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life activities. Furthermore, she seeks exemplary damages under Texas law for gross negligence due to what she describes as an extreme degree of risk posed by the defendants' conduct.
Representing Jie Zhang is attorney Traci Andraos from Andraos Law Firm located in Addison, Texas. The case is being presided over by Judge Gerardo Perez in Harris County's 295th Judicial District Court under Case ID: 2024-88680.