Woman sues Humane Society

Madison Twp. resident files suit over alleged rabies scare

A Madison Township woman is claiming she was exposed to potential rabies after volunteering to foster a cat from the Lake Humane Society and Adoption Center.

Jill Pugel filed a lawsuit Aug. 16 in Lake County Common Pleas Court seeking unspecified damages from Lake Humane.

According to the suit filed by attorneys Daniel F. Richards and Stephanie Landgraf:

Pugel responded to an advertisement to provide foster care to a stray or feral cat being kept by Lake Humane at its Mentor facility.

On June 30, 2016, Lake Humane officials gave a cat to Pugel after assuring her it had been given rabies shots and was safe to take home.

However, Pugel later learned the cat had been vaccinated just 16 days before — rather than the 30 days necessary to provide full protection against rabies.

“As a consequence, the animal should

Pugel is claiming humane officials were negligent, careless and reckless in withholding vital information that the cat was still capable of communicating rabies.

have been kept in isolation by the Defendants until the full 30 days had passed,” the attorneys stated in the suit.

The same night she took the cat home, Pugel claimed she was attacked by the animal and required medical attention. Meanwhile, the cat had escaped from her house after biting her.

Pugel immediately called the nonprofit facility to notify them about the incident. She then discovered the cat hadn’t been given its rabies shots until June 14, 2016, and that “it would be necessary for the Plaintiff to undergo the painful anti-rabies treatment as a precaution,” according to her attorneys.

Pugel is claiming humane officials were negligent, careless and reckless in withholding vital information that the cat was still capable of communicating rabies.

She also alleges she has suffered severe pain and emotional upset from the incident.

Lake Humane Society Executive Director Lee Nesler did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

Pugel is also seeking a jury trial and reimbursement for her court costs.

The lawsuit does not state the results of Pugel’s medical tests.

“The only reason this was filed is because the Humane Society and its insurance company reneged on their promise to reimburse her for her medical bills,” Richards told The NewsHerald. “My client was also concerned they weren’t doing anything to try and trap the cat. It’s inexplicable they would let that happen.”

The case has been assigned to Judge Eugene A. Lucci.