A resident is seeking more than $50,000 in damages after allegedly sustaining serious injuries while fleeing from an aggressive dog in the common area of his apartment complex. The complaint was filed by Richard Anderson in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in and for Pinellas County, Florida, on March 25, 2026, naming Johnny Pittman, Michelle Groark Curtis, and SW1 Trellis Owner LLC doing business as Trellis at the Lakes Apartments as defendants.
According to court documents, Anderson was a lawful tenant at Trellis at the Lakes Apartments on July 18, 2025, when he encountered a dog owned or controlled by fellow tenants Johnny Pittman and Michelle Groark Curtis. The filing states that Anderson was walking through a common area maintained by SW1 Trellis Owner LLC when he heard and observed the dog growling and barking near the entrance of one of the units. The complaint alleges that the dog was untethered and unmuzzled, allowed to roam freely without restraint or confinement.
The lawsuit claims that without warning or provocation, the dog continued to bark aggressively before charging toward Anderson. In response to what he perceived as an imminent attack, Anderson attempted to flee but fell in the process. He asserts that this fall resulted in serious bodily injury. The document further alleges that SW1 Trellis Owner LLC had actual knowledge of prior incidents involving aggressive behavior by this particular dog—including growling, lunging, chasing people on the premises—and had received complaints about such conduct.
Anderson’s legal team argues that both Pittman and Curtis breached their duties as dog owners under Florida law by failing to properly restrain or control their animal within shared spaces accessible to other tenants and invitees. The complaint cites Florida Statute § 767.01: “the owner of any dog that shall do any damage to a person shall be liable for such damages.” It is alleged that both defendants allowed their dog to remain outside their unit uncontrolled where it could chase or threaten others lawfully using common areas.
In addition to targeting individual tenants Pittman and Curtis for negligence, Anderson also brings claims against SW1 Trellis Owner LLC as landlord and property manager. He alleges that SW1 Trellis Owner LLC failed to implement or enforce reasonable animal control policies despite being aware of repeated violations involving leash laws and dangerous behavior by the same animal. According to court filings: “Defendant’s employees or agents observed the dog off-leash or otherwise uncontrolled in common areas; and/or Defendant was aware of repeated violations of its pet and leash policies by Defendants…and failed to enforce such policies.” Further allegations include failure to warn tenants about known risks posed by animals on site.
As a result of these alleged breaches of duty—by both neighbors who owned or harbored the animal and by management responsible for enforcing safety rules—Anderson claims ongoing physical impairment, pain and suffering (both past and future), disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, aggravation of pre-existing conditions, as well as medical expenses incurred due to his injuries.
The lawsuit demands judgment against each defendant individually for amounts exceeding $50,000 plus costs, interest, any other relief deemed appropriate by the court, and requests a jury trial on all triable issues.
The plaintiff is represented by attorney Allen D. Petit from Steinger, Greene & Feiner based in Tampa. The case number is 26-001853-CI.
Source: 26001853CI_Richard_Anderson_v_Johnny_Pittman_Complaint_Pinellas_County_Florida.pdf
