Mauling Victim Sues

Tue., May 4, 1999

The family of an 11-year-old girl who was mauled by four Saint Bernards this year has sued the dogs’ owners.

The parents of Cassandra Jones are seeking past and future medical expenses and unspecified monetary damages for mental and physical suffering from Alvin and Diane Tesdal, according to a lawsuit filed Monday in Spokane County Superior Court.

The four dogs, who got loose when a gate was accidentally left open, attacked Jones in March as she walked along Wellesley Avenue in Otis Orchards. She suffered bites on her arm, leg and buttocks in the incident.

County commissioners later declared the four dogs dangerous, meaning Tesdal must keep them in special pens and muzzle them if they are out.

Tesdal has maintained that the dogs are not a threat to people and that the attack was a fluke.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.