Dog rescue charity sued after ‘aggressive’ pooch bit trainer

They both love dogs, but an incident between a Brisbane trainer and rescue charity has sparked a $270,000 lawsuit.

Recruiter and dog trainer Kacie Gauld, 38, from Bulimba, is suing after being bitten. Picture: Facebook

A QUEENSLAND dog trainer is suing a volunteer dog rescue charity for $268,668, claiming its negligence caused a dog to bite her finger.

Kacie Gauld, 38, a recruiter from Bulimba, in Brisbane’s inner northeast, has sued Lucky Paws Dog Rescue Inc and dog foster carer Penelope Hall in Brisbane District Court.

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Ms Gauld claims that staffordshire terrier/cattledog crossbreed Pandora, which came from a NSW dog pound, bit her finger on June 10 last year when she tried to break up a fight during a dog training session.

Recruiter and dog trainer Kacie Gauld, 38, from Bulimba, is suing after a dog bit her. Picture: Facebook

She claims the bite fractured her left finger and that, even after surgical repair, it remains disfigured and has reduced the grip strength in her left hand.

Ms Gauld told the court the injury has made it difficult to handle a dog on a lead, which was key to her business, Kacie’s Puppy School.

Court documents show Ms Gauld claims that Pandora, aged 20 months, was legally owned by the not-for-profit company when the incident occurred at an obedience class held after-hours at Murarrie State School.

Ms Gauld offered free obedience classes to dog rescue organisations while she was on maternity leave from her recruitment job with her first child, her claims states.

Pandora broke free from Ms Hall’s grasp on her lead before the dogfight.

Ms Gauld claims Lucky Paws was negligent in failing to realise Pandora’s “aggressive” temperament made her unsuitable to be put in Ms Hall’s care.

Ms Hall had no prior experience in caring for a dog with behavioural problems, the claim states.

Recruiter and dog trainer Kacie Gauld, 38, from Bulimba, with other dogs at a rescue organisation. Picture: Facebook

Ms Gauld claims she saw Pandora aggressively bark at other dogs and surge forward on the lead during earlier obedience classes last year.

The damages she has claimed include lost earnings of $77,006, due to returning to work later than expected, and $150,000 claimed for future economic loss.

Ms Gauld claims pain and discomfort in her finger will require her to avoid prolonged periods of typing, which is required in full-time employment.

She claims she will likely always require a sympathetic employer and will be hampered in her ability to develop and expand her dog training business.

Lucky Paws says on its website it helps save abandoned, neglected and homeless dogs and cats throughout southern Queensland.

It relies heavily on donations, volunteers and community support as it does not receive government funding.

Ms ​Gauld has been asked to reply to a request for further and better particulars of her claim by Monday, including by explaining how Lucky Paws’ “temperament test” fell-short.

No future court date has been set, and no defence has been filed.