A recent lawsuit alleges that a child suffered serious injuries after being attacked by a dog in the common area of a residential property managed by a local housing authority. The legal action seeks to hold both the dog’s owner and the property manager responsible for the incident, citing claims of strict liability and negligence.
The complaint was filed by Charmaine Arnold, acting as natural parent and guardian of Ka’Veon Benson, a minor, in the Sixth Judicial Circuit in and for Pinellas County, Florida on March 16, 2026. The defendants named are Monique Marry and the Pinellas County Housing Authority doing business as Rainbow Village.
According to court documents, on or about November 19, 2024, the plaintiff’s minor son was an invitee at Rainbow Village where he resided with his mother. At that time, Monique Marry was also a resident at the same property located at 13300 S. Washington Drive in Largo. The filing states that Marry owned a dog which lived with her at this location.
The complaint alleges that on the date in question, “the dog owned by Defendant, MONIQUE MARRY, left the residence and entered into a common area and attacked Plaintiff, KA’ VEON BENSON, biting him multiple times about the right leg.” It further asserts that neither Marry nor any other competent person had control over or restrained the animal during this event.
The lawsuit brings forward several counts against both defendants. In Count I against Monique Marry, Arnold claims strict liability under Florida Statute section 767.04: “The owner of any dog that bites any person while such person is on or in a public place…is liable for damages suffered by persons bitten regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.” The plaintiff argues that as direct result of this unprovoked attack her son “suffered bodily injury and resulting pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, mental anguish,” along with medical expenses and other losses described as either permanent or continuing.
Additionally, Arnold accuses Marry of negligence for failing to properly warn others about what she describes as an aggressive dog; failing to contain or restrain it; and allowing it to roam unrestrained within premises shared with other residents. The complaint states: “The Defendant…had a non-delegable duty to ensure that the dog was kept so that it did not impose an unreasonable risk of harm to others.” It is alleged these failures directly resulted in injuries to Ka’Veon Benson.
In Count II directed at Pinellas County Housing Authority doing business as Rainbow Village, Arnold alleges negligence based on their role as property owners and managers. She claims they knew or should have known about both the presence and alleged dangerous propensities of Marry’s dog but failed to implement adequate policies or enforce existing ones regarding animal control. Specific breaches cited include “failing to implement adequate policies,” “failing to warn invitees,” “failing to enforce existing policies,” allowing unsupervised roaming by animals on premises, and not containing dogs while on site.
For each count brought against both defendants individually—strict liability for Marry; negligence for both—Arnold demands judgment for damages exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), exclusive of interest, costs, attorneys’ fees; prejudgment interest; fees; costs; any other relief deemed appropriate by the court; plus trial by jury on all triable issues.
Legal representation for Charmaine Arnold is provided by Justin W. Pimenta of Abrahamson & Uiterwyk Car Accident & Injury Lawyers based in Tampa (Florida Bar No.: 0619868). The case is identified under number 26-001667-CI.
Source: 26001667CI_Charmaine_Arnold_v_Monique_Marryand_Complaint_Pinellas_County_Florida.pdf
