A lawsuit alleges negligence by the owner of a Eugene daycare after a dog bit a child in the face.

The child, 3 years old at the time, was bitten by a black Labrador retriever, said Scott Mahady, the attorney representing the child and the child’s guardian, Rasia Pouncie, in the lawsuit against Angels Daycare Corp. and owner Angel Green.

The bite caused nerve and muscle damage around the child’s lips as well as scarring on the child’s face and neck, according to the lawsuit, which seeks damages of $900,000 plus $55,000 in past medical expenses and $25,000 in future medical costs.

A staff member at Angel’s Daycare & Preschool brought two dogs through an area with children “on or about” Aug. 30, 2023, according to the lawsuit which was filed Tuesday, Sept. 15, in Lane County Circuit Court.

One of the dogs, Henry, is owned by Green, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleges Green “made the decisions concerning the presence of dogs” at the daycare, allowing for dogs to “occasionally come into contact” with the preschool children attending the daycare.

State rules for childcare homes allow animals like cats and dogs to be accessible to children so long as the animals are healthy and friendly with “no signs or history of aggression.” 

A state inspection this year of Angel’s Daycare & Preschool found the facility in compliance with all rules regarding animals on site. No valid complaints are listed for the facility, according to online state records.

The child named in the lawsuit “hugged or attempted to hug one of the dogs, Henry,” then was bitten, the lawsuit says, alleging the daycare and Green were negligent in supervising the dogs.

Reached by phone, Green declined to comment.