When 22-year-old Jacqueline Durand was presented with the chance to dog sit for a Texas doctor and his wife, she couldn’t resist. The physician assured her that his canines were amicable and never posed any danger or hostility – so without hesitation, the Texan college student accepted. However, Dr. Justin Bishop grossly underestimated his dogs’ capability; the animals committed a heinous act by ruthlessly attacking Durand who has been “permanently and catastrophically disfigured” because she lost “most of her face below her eyes.”
On December 23, 2021, Durand was brought on to take care of the doctor and Ashley’s dogs while they were away from home. The couple promised that they would be locked in their kennel upon her arrival – however, upon entering their property she noticed the animals running around freely with hostile intent. Unfortunately for Durand, this resulted in an attack that put her within inches of losing her life as a University of Texas Dallas student.
Durand has now taken drastic legal action against the doctor and his spouse. The complaint alleges that as soon as Durand stepped foot inside their house, the pair of dogs lunged at her. With ferocious intensity, Lucy the German Shepherd and Bender the pit bull mix launched a violent assault as if they were attempting to take her life. As soon as she stepped into the house, the ravenous dogs ripped off and devoured Durand’s ears, nose, lips, and most of her face below her eyes.
Just days before Durand was set to turn twenty-two, she experienced the unthinkable: an attack. She had visited the doctor’s home ahead of time and got comfortable with their furry friends’ routine so that she could tend to them while the couple was away.
Durand’s attorneys allege that their client was put in harm’s way due to the doctor’s negligence – as they had promised she wouldn’t have to worry about being attacked since the dogs would be confined. However, upon her arrival, these animals were allowed to roam free and pounced on Durand without warning.
“The owner assured Jacqueline that the dogs would be crated,” Chip Brooker, Durand’s attorney, said in a statement. “But, shortly before her first visit, the owner texted Jacqueline to tell her that she failed to crate the dogs before leaving town. A sign on the front door even warns visitors about the violent pets that live at the home.”
The Bishops were well aware of the potential danger that their dogs posed and even posted a warning sign outside their residence, saying “Crazy dogs. Please don’t knock or ring the bell. Call or text instead.”
Durand was brutally thrown to the ground by her attackers, and all of her clothing, including her blue jeans, were ripped off so they could get at the flesh underneath. The neighbor who heard the commotion on time and came to Durand’s rescue undoubtedly saved Durand from what would have likely been a fatal dog attack created by Bishop’s dogs.
Dr. Bishop’s potential jury trial could cost him dearly, as Durand is seeking a staggering one million in damages.
