PRESS CONFERENCE: TODAY
The Law Offices of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard
161 N. Clark St.
Suite 4700
Chicago, IL 60601
ELMWOOD PARK, Ill. (September 21, 2021) – The same two dogs that viciously attacked two people and their dogs in Palatine back in May have once again severely injured another person and their dog. This after the dogs avoided being euthanized when their owner entered into a plea deal that allowed the pitbull mix and Akita mix to live if they simply moved out of Palatine and into another town or village.
When the deal was made back in June, the Palatine victims’ attorney, Michael J. Schostok, expressed a strong concern that the Village of Palatine was simply “moving the problem elsewhere for another community to deal with.”
Now, that fear has become a reality.
On August 20, 2021, 48-year-old Aneta Heinz was walking her 4-year-old retriever mix near Wellington and 78th in Elmwood Park when two dogs leaped out of a backyard and ran across the street towards her. After being knocked to the ground, Aneta and her dog were able to get away from the violent dogs, but both were injured in the attack.
The attack in Elmwood Park was only brought to light to the Palatine Plaintiffs and their attorneys because Mr. Schostok happened to be in an Elmwood Park courtroom for an unrelated case when he overheard the defendant’s name being called in connection to a dog attack hearing.
“This most recent attack by the same two dogs was preventable, plain and simple. Instead of euthanizing these two vicious animals, the Village of Palatine moved the problem to Elmwood Park. We now know the consequences of the Village’s failure to act accordingly,” Plaintiff’s attorney Michael J. Schostok said. “What makes this attack frustrating, yet unsurprising, is that so many of us knew that this was going to happen and yet the Village of Palatine didn’t listen. We will be exploring all legal avenues to hold the Village and the dog owners accountable and are working to ensure that these vicious dogs are euthanized and no longer a danger to society.”
Mr. Schostok and attorney Brian L. Salvi have been retained to represent Ms. Heinz in a cause of action.
The attorneys and their clients will address their disappointment that the Village of Palatine failed to appropriately address the danger caused by these violent animals during a press conference on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at 1 p.m. at the Law Offices of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard. Please call the firm’s Director of Public Relations, Marcie Mangan, at (312) 372-1227 or mmangan@salvilaw.com for more information.
A petition has been started by Amanda Ingram, one of the Palatine victims, to encourage leaders to euthanize the dangerous dogs. Please click here to sign the petition or read more.
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