Cat-Dog Spat Led to Panic Attack, Suit Says
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
A former North County Times reporter whose state-certified assistance dog was attacked by a cat in the Escondido Public Library said he suffered a panic attack shortly after the 2000 attack.
Richard Espinosa, 49, is suing the city of Escondido for $1.5 million in damages for emotional trauma. Espinosa, who suffers from panic attacks, claims the city violated his civil rights as a disabled person by blocking his access to the library.
Judge Yuri Hofmann reduced Espinosa’s claim to $15,000.
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