The Orange County Board of Supervisors, California, US, agreed to pay 450,000 USD to Emily Moncur, a 46-year-old volunteer, to settle a lawsuit she filed in 8/2025, the LA Times reported on 7/5/2026.

In her lawsuit, Moncur stated she visited the Orange County Animal Care facility in Tustin in 8/2023 to photograph dogs as a volunteer. Moncur alleged that facility management left her alone with Blaze, a beagle and Labrador retriever mix, without safety precautions or warnings about the dog's violent tendencies.

Orange County Animal Care facility in Tustin, California. *Photo: OCPETINFO*

"Blaze had been severely abused by its previous owner, but no one informed the volunteer", Moncur stated. As she returned Blaze to its kennel, the dog attacked, inflicting 18 bites on various parts of her body.

Blaze became more agitated and aggressive when Moncur screamed. With no one responding, she had to drag the dog, which was biting her arm, to the front of the facility.

Moncur stated the facility was understaffed at the time, requiring volunteers to work alone with dogs, while staff were encouraged to wear earplugs. She received no instructions on how to handle a dog attack or how to remove a leash from a resistant dog unwilling to return to its kennel.

Staff feeding dogs inside the Orange County Animal Care facility. *Photo: LA Times*

Moncur reported needing 46 external stitches and numerous internal stitches following the incident. "What happened will likely haunt me for the rest of my life. Cosmetic procedures can somewhat address external damage and scars, but nerve damage cannot be fixed", Moncur stated.

Before agreeing to the settlement, Orange County officials had rejected Moncur's allegations. In court documents filed in 12/2025, the county asserted that all facility staff acted according to protocol and that Moncur's injuries "resulted from her wrongful conduct."

"Moncur voluntarily engaged in the actions, aware of all associated risks and dangers", county officials stated. Orange County has not yet explained why they changed their position and agreed to settle the lawsuit.

Duc Trung (According to LA Times, OC Register, Voice of OC)