F
ayette County, Ky. – A jury in Fayette County awarded Sarah Bogusewski $5.3 million after she was mauled by dogs on a property owned by EasyKnock. The court found EasyKnock 99 % at fault, awarding her $320,776.68 in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. The verdict cited EasyKnock’s failure to take reasonable precautions, noting the company knew or should have known the dogs were dangerous and controlled the area during the attack.

    Compensatory damages included $250,000 for past pain and suffering, $55,781.68 for prior medical bills, $5,000 for future medical expenses, $4,995 for lost wages, and $5,000 for present and future pain and suffering. The jury also found owners James M. Pelfrey and Elijah D. Stubblefield negligent, assigning only 1 % of fault to Pelfrey. Both were deemed to have neglected to maintain a safe environment for the public and to exercise ordinary care with the dogs.

    EasyKnock operates by purchasing homes and leasing them back to the original owners. The company’s model involves buying properties and then renting them to former homeowners.

    Earlier reports revealed the dog owner was deemed incompetent to stand trial, and the dogs were returned to him after multiple attacks. Following community outcry, authorities ordered the dogs to be euthanized.