PORTLAND -- The family of a 6-year-old East Haddam girl severely mauled in November by an off-duty town police dog has notified the town it intends to sue.
Rachel Christiana, of 71 Cherry Swamp Road, suffered several punctures and deep cuts on her head, bites on an ear and scratches on her back and legs in the Nov. 19 encounter with the 2-year-old German shepherd, according to papers filed with the town clerk.
The Christianas' attorney could not be reached Friday for comment.
First Selectman Edward Kalinowski declined comment. He said the matter has been turned over to the town's insurance carrier.
The dog, named Caesar, is owned and handled by the town's K-9 officer, Peter Paranzino of Portland. The dog is still on duty.
According to documents, including a state police report, Rachel and her 10-year-old brother, Anthony, had gotten off the school bus in front of their home.
As they got halfway up their driveway, a large dog circled them. When the dog growled, the children ran toward their house.
Rachel was behind her brother. The dog grabbed her backpack and dragged her to the ground. Anthony wasn't bitten, but saw what happened.
By the time rescue workers and a state trooper arrived, the dog was gone.
It was unclear initially who owned the dog. But the East Haddam animal control officer led state police to Paranzino, who was working off-duty on a house under construction near the Christianas' home.
Contacted four days later, Paranzino acknowledged that Caesar roamed away around the time of the attack, forcing the officer to drive around in his truck looking for the dog.
In the papers, the family claims Paranzino was negligent for not controlling the dog. Treatment for Rachel's injuries, including surgeries and a rabies shot, totaled $4,655.
In addition to her physical wounds, the notice of intent to sue claims Rachel and her brother suffered ongoing emotional injuries, including insomnia, anxiety and a fear of animals.
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