Man Nearly Mauled to Death by Pit Bulls Gets Enormous Jury Award

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A Wayne County jury has awarded a $100 million “symbolic” judgment to a man nearly mauled to death in a vicious attack by a pack of pit bulls last fall.

Attorney Mark Bernstein told the Associated Press the award to Steve Constantine was an “enormously symbolic statement” against irresponsible dog owners, according to a report on The Detroit News.

Constantine lost most of his left arm, his left leg below the knee, and his left ear in the attack outside a Detroit home on the night of Oct.2. The dogs had ripped off his clothing and were on top of him when police arrived at the scene.

One dog was killed at the scene, and 11 others were rounded up after the attack, euthanized and tested for rabies. Constantine was unable to speak for several weeks after the attack.

The owner of the dogs, Derek Felton, faces criminal charges for harboring dangerous animals causing serious injury. He and his mother, Elizabeth Collins Felton, were named in the civil suit.

The award is the second big settlement in Wayne County in as many weeks.

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