Pit Bull Mauls Toddler At Morris Co. Garage Sale, Lawsuit Says

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — The parents of an 18-month-old boy who was attacked by a pit bull during a borough-wide garage sale in Kinnelon last year have filed a lawsuit against the homeowners and the borough.

According to the lawsuit, Samuel Miller Sr. and Roxanne Miller were on a Kinnelon Borough property on Sept. 24, 2022, when their child, who was secured in a stroller, was mauled by a pit bull, who was being handled and controlled by Lori J. Cipra-Gabriele, Gary Gabriele and Kurt Stelzenmueller.

Shortly after the attack began, the mother was able to fight the dog and pull him off her toddler, but was hurt in the process, the suit alleged.

Roxanne Miller was also "splattered by the blood of her son," the lawsuit states.

In the lawsuit, the homeowners are accused of neglecting to control and properly handle their dog. They are accused in the lawsuit of being reckless, negligent and failing to oversee the animal, which resulted in the Miller family suffering serious, irreversible injuries, mental anguish, agony and suffering.

Following the attack, in which the dog tore a large chunk of flesh from the toddler's cheek, the family rushed to Morristown Memorial Hospital, where he received "excruciating treatment" for his injuries, according to the claim.

The family states in the lawsuit that their son was left with chronic scarring that will be visible throughout his life.

The claim, filed on Sept. 11 in the state Superior Court in Morristown, demands compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorney’s fees and any other relief that the court deems to be just and equitable.

Along with suing the dog owners, the Millers have also named the borough as defendants, as they sponsored the borough-wide garage sale as a fundraiser for the Kinnelon Volunteer Fire Auxiliary and Kinnelon Volunteer Fire Company.

Kinnelon Borough did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment on the matter.