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Library-Cat Suit Goes to TrialOpening arguments in the lawsuit against the city of Escondido, California, over an attack on a patron’s assistance dog by the public library’s cat began in San Diego Superior Court January 28. Richard Espinosa, who is representing himself in the case, claims that the city violated his civil rights and caused him lasting physical and emotional damage when L.C. (for Library Cat) attacked his dog during a library visit in 2000. He originally sought $1.5 million in damages, but agreed to limit his potential award to $15,000 after Judge Yuri Hofmann rejected most of his argument that the case violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Escondido North County Times reported January 29. Escondido City Attorney Steve Nelson countered that Espinosa actually had more rights than the average person because he had the right to bring his dog into the library. He also pointed out that library staff didn’t have a chance to ensure access for Espinosa—who claims the cat blocked him from entering the building—because he left immediately after the attack, according to the January 28 San Diego Union-Tribune. While several potential jurors were excused because they believed the suit was frivolous, Espinosa said that media reports had “wildly exaggerated the case. . . . It’s not a dog and cat fight, and I’ll show you proof of that,” he told the jury. Posted January 30, 2004. |
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