Shelter dog named Beau Dacious bites woman at restaurant adoption event, suit says
A woman who was bitten by a dog during a pet adoption event is suing the Horry County animal shelter and a Myrtle Beach-area restaurant where the event took place.
Judith Ruggier claims in the lawsuit that she and her daughter went to the Sneaky Beagle, 5040 Carolina Forest Blvd., on May 24, 2024. At the time, the Carolina Forest bar and restaurant was hosting an adoption event in conjunction with the Horry County Animal Care Center.
Ruggier encountered and attempted to pet a terrier-mix dog named Beau Dacious, the suit said. The dog lunged at Ruggier and bit her face on or about the nose, causing significant injuries and damage, the suit said.
A message left for the restaurant was not returned Friday afternoon. Adrianna Seals, public information officer with Horry County, said by text that the county does not comment on pending litigation.
The suit said the restaurant was negligent in allowing untrained and “previously abused” and “known vicious and reactive animals” on its premises, which were open to the public. It had a duty to exercise reasonable care for the safety of its patrons, including protecting them from foreseeable harm posed by animals brought and kept on the property, the suit said.
The dog was not muzzled or otherwise restrained, and the public, including Ruggier, was encouraged to interact with the dog, the suit said.
Horry County shelter officials had a duty to warn the public of the dog’s “violent propensities, tendencies and disposition to attack unprovoked,” as well as muzzle, confine or secure the dog, the suit said.
It is not known whether the dog was adopted or euthanized following the event.
Ruggier said that she suffered injuries, both physical and psychological, the suit said.
The suit, filed on March 12, seeks damages that include economic, medical and plastic surgery costs and other damages.
