Library-Cat Suit Costs Dog Owner $30,000

Posted August 6, 2004.

Library-Cat Suit Costs Dog Owner $30,000

A man who unsuccessfully sued the city of Escondido, California, for what he charged was a violation of his civil rights when the library’s cat attacked his assistance dog in 2000, has been ordered to pay nearly $30,000 in attorney’s fees for what the city said was a frivolous lawsuit.

Judge Yuri Hofmann July 30 ordered Richard Espinosa to pay $29,362.50 to cover 174 billable hours of work fighting the case, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported July 31.

A judge in December 2003 had rejected the city’s motion to dismiss Espinosa’s lawsuit, which originally sought $1.5 million in damages but was later limited to $15,000. In February, a jury determined that the city had not denied Espinosa the same rights as the general public.

Posted August 6, 2004.