A Los Angeles woman's decision to adopt a dog she believed was 'sweet' turned into a nightmare just two days later, resulting in severe injuries and a multi-million dollar legal settlement against the city.
A Fateful Adoption
In August 2022, 75-year-old accountant Kristin Wright responded to social media posts advertising four-year-old pit bull Valerio. The posts, which described the gray dog as 'the best boy ever' who loved to play and snuggle, convinced Wright to adopt him from a South Los Angeles shelter where he had been held for over a year.
The shelter had acknowledged some 'behavioral issues' but overall presented Valerio as a sweet animal. Multiple social media appeals to save him from euthanasia failed to mention his violent history, painting instead a picture of a friendly, affectionate pet.
Violent Attack and Injuries
Just two days after bringing Valerio home, the supposedly gentle dog launched a vicious attack on Wright. The assault left her with a broken right arm and skin peeled from her left arm, requiring multiple surgeries. She continues to suffer from nerve damage in her fingers and hands.
'What happened to Ms. Wright and her husband was completely preventable if the City had simply followed its own policies and procedures that are designed to keep members of the public safe from potentially dangerous dogs,' said her attorney, Jenna Edzant.
Undisclosed Violent History
California state law requires shelters to disclose a dog's bite history, but Wright received only minimal information about Valerio's behavioral issues. Shelter volunteers reportedly mentioned a bite incident but downplayed it as 'not a big deal.'
An Animal Services investigation later revealed that Valerio had been surrendered to the shelter in 2021 after attacking his previous owner's elderly mother. The victim had tried to scare the dog away with her cane, but Valerio jumped up and bit her in the face, causing significant bleeding and leaving her unable to speak.
This attack was classified as a level four bite, which the Association of Professional Dog Trainers describes as resulting from a 'very dangerous' animal.
Legal Consequences and Policy Changes
Wright and her husband sued the city, resulting in a $3.25 million settlement in November. The lawsuit highlighted systemic failures in how the shelter handled dangerous animals.
According to city records, Valerio had been marked for euthanasia in April 2022, but an error on the paperwork allowed him to be adopted instead. Following this case, Los Angeles Animal Services implemented a new disclosure policy in November requiring employees to check a dog's bite history before adoption.
Valerio was eventually euthanized while Wright was still recovering in hospital. Even when city employees called the Wrights to authorize the dog's death, they continued to describe Valerio as 'so sweet.'
Wright maintains she would never have adopted the animal had she known his true history. 'I'm Valerio and I'm the best boy ever,' one social media post had read - words that now carry tragic irony for a woman whose life was permanently altered by her attempt to give a shelter dog a loving home.
