Jogger Wins $21M Settlement in King County Dog Mauling

Jogger Wins $21M Settlement in King County Dog Mauling

Introduction

King County has agreed to pay $21.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by a woman who was severely injured after being attacked by two dogs while jogging near her home in an unincorporated area of Auburn, Washington, in 2022.

The payout represents the largest personal injury settlement in the county’s history, according to the victim’s attorneys.

The 2022 Dog Attack

On February 22, 2022, the 38-year-old woman was out for a jog near 28000 45th Place South when two dogs suddenly ran out from a nearby home and attacked her. Hearing her screams, neighbors rushed to help but were unable to stop the mauling.

The woman suffered serious injuries to her head, legs, torso, and arms, including multiple broken bones. According to the lawsuit, the dogs dragged her across the road before King County Sheriff’s deputies arrived. One deputy ultimately shot and killed one dog, while the second was captured later by animal control officers.

Repeated Complaints Ignored

Neighbors told investigators that they had repeatedly complained about the property where the dogs lived, citing squatters, trash, and dangerous animals. Despite these reports, they said county officials failed to act.

According to the victim’s attorneys, residents had made more than 75 calls since 2018 to various county departments—including the Sheriff’s Office, Animal Care Services, and Code Enforcement—to report aggressive dogs, criminal activity, and unsanitary conditions on the property.

Settlement and Property Resolution

Following the settlement, the King County Executive’s Office issued a statement acknowledging the agreement. In addition to the county’s payment, the property owner agreed to pay the maximum limits of their homeowner’s insurance policy and to sell the property so the area can be cleaned up and restored.

The lawsuit also named the two dog owners as defendants, though no criminal charges have been filed against them.

Family’s Statement and Community Impact

In a statement, the woman’s family said they hope the settlement will lead to the cleanup of the nuisance property and help restore peace and safety to the neighborhood. “This tragedy should never have happened,” the family’s attorney said, emphasizing that the case highlights the importance of government accountability when repeated public safety warnings are ignored.