The attack occurred last year while the family's two children were playing in their Hamilton yard, according to a lawsuit
TRENTON - A Hamilton family is blaming their neighbors for an incident last year when a dog charged the family's lawn and attacked their child, according to a recently filed lawsuit.
Lisa and Peter Pietras, who live on the 400 block of Main Street, claim their two children were playing in the yard one afternoon in April of 2015 when they were attacked by a mixed-breed dog.
The dog charged at their daughter, who's named "R.P." in the suit, but the couple's son, "A.P." jumped in front of his sister, protecting her from injury, the suit said. According to the parents, the dog turned his attention to the son instead.
"(The dog) attacked him, repeatedly biting and tearing at this left arm," the suit said.
The boy had to undergo emergency surgery as a result of the attack, according to the suit.
Lisa and Peter Pietras claim the dog was unleashed, had no muzzle and was not tied up at the time. He belonged to Kim, John and Kelly O'Brien, who lived just a block away from the Pietras family, the suit said.
The O'Briens were at fault for not containing a dog that they should have known was dangerous, the suit said.
An attorney representing the Pietras family did not immediately respond to comment last week and Tuesday. The O'Briens were not available for comment.
Anna Merriman may be reached at amerriman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @anna_merriman Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.