Texas Dog Walker Sues Dog Owners After Attack Leaves Her Permanently Disfigured

A University of Texas at Dallas student filed a civil lawsuit in Dallas County on Jan. 25, 2022, alleging that two dogs owned by a Coppell, Texas, couple attacked and permanently disfigured her during a contracted dog-walking engagement. Jacqueline Claire Durand, 22, of Coppell, had just opened a home's front door on Dec. 23 to walk Lucy, a German shepherd mix breed, and Bender, a mixed-breed pit bull, according to the lawsuit filed in Dallas County. The complaint was filed by Brooker Law PLLC of Dallas on Durand's behalf.

According to NBC News, Durand was hired by Dr. Justin Bishop and his wife Ashley to care for the couple's dogs while they were out of town. Although Durand had met the dogs once before, the attack happened on her first day as a hired dog walker. The animals were not in their kennels and rushed at Durand, violently attacking her. She suffered multiple life-threatening injuries, including the loss of both ears, nose, lips, and most of her face, in addition to severe puncture wounds over her entire body. According to the lawsuit, Durand has undergone several reconstructive surgeries and will require many more, and she remains hospitalized.

The lawsuit alleges negligence and premises liability against the dogs' owners, identified as Ashley Jo Bishop and Dr. Justin Avery Bishop, and also names the two as defendants in their capacities as trustees of a private family trust. Central to the negligence theory is the allegation that the Bishops had prior knowledge of the animals' dangerous tendencies. The Bishops were aware their pets had violent tendencies, the lawsuit said, and the dogs were out of the kennels they were usually kept in. The complaint further cited a warning sign posted near the home's entrance. The sign read: "Crazy Dogs. Please Don't Knock or Ring the Bell. Call or Text Instead," while the dogs were typically kept in kennels. Under Texas law, such prior notice is legally significant. Texas follows a version of the so-called "one-bite" rule, meaning that an owner who knows, or should know, that their dog might be dangerous is strictly liable if it attacks someone. ^[2]

After the incident, the City of Coppell captured the dogs and remanded them to municipal custody, and a local judge later determined that both animals should be euthanized. Durand's attorneys have appealed the order, asking that they have more time to inspect the animals. Attorney Chris Brooker, representing Durand, told NBC News that the Bishops have not issued an apology.

The lawsuit is requesting more than $1 million in damages, arguing that the Bishops failed to use "ordinary care and prudence," including warning Durand of possible danger, failing to control or contain the dogs, and failing to provide a safe environment. Before the attack, Durand attended the University of Texas at Dallas as a full-time student, and she is seeking a jury trial.

References

[1] NBC News. (2022, January 27). Texas dog walker permanently disfigured in 'bloodthirsty' attack by 2 dogs, lawsuit says. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/texas-dog-walker-permanently-disfigured-bloodthirsty-attack-2-dogs-law-rcna13852

[2] Nolo. (2026, February 10). Texas Dog-Bite Laws and Rules for Dangerous Dogs. https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/texas-dog-bite-laws.html