In a dramatic legal confrontation, a resident of Harris County has filed a lawsuit against his neighbor following a violent dog attack that left him injured. On January 31, 2025, Thomas Smith Inglesby III initiated legal proceedings in the District Court of Harris County against Ryan Alan Klabunde, accusing him of negligence and other related charges.
The case revolves around an incident that occurred on January 24, 2025, when Inglesby was attacked by Klabunde's dog at his home in Houston, Texas. According to the complaint filed by Inglesby, the dog was unrestrained and ran loose onto his property before violently forcing its way through his front door and biting him. The lawsuit alleges that Klabunde failed to control the dog despite being aware of its dangerous propensities, as it had been involved in prior aggressive incidents.
Inglesby's legal team argues that Klabunde is strictly liable for injuries caused by the dog under Texas law. They assert that Klabunde's negligence includes failing to keep the dog restrained and allowing it to run at large in violation of both state statutes and local ordinances. Specifically cited are breaches of the Dangerous Dog Act and several provisions of the City of Houston Code of Ordinances related to animal control.
The plaintiff seeks monetary relief exceeding $250,000 but not more than $1 million for damages including medical expenses, physical pain, mental anguish, physical impairment, and disfigurement. Additionally, Inglesby is pursuing exemplary damages due to what he describes as gross negligence on Klabunde's part—alleging that Klabunde acted with conscious indifference to safety risks posed by the dog.
Represented by attorney Mario E. de la Garza from The de la Garza Law Group, Inglesby demands a jury trial to resolve these claims. The case is filed under Case ID 2025-06725 in the 190th Judicial District Court of Harris County.