Messa v. Sullivan

MR. PRESIDING- JUSTICE BURMAN

delivered the opinion of the court.

Betty Messa brought this action against James Sullivan, Helen Sullivan and the Keyman’s Club, an Illinois not for profit corporation, to recover damages for the bodily injuries which she sustained as the result of being bitten by the defendants’ dog. The complaint was based on two theories: first, a common law action for the keeping of a vicious animal and, second, an action based on what is commonly known as the “Dog Bite Statute” (Ill Rev Stats 1963, c 8, § 12d). The parties waived a jury and the case was tried by the court. On…