WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.– On Sunday, October 22, 2006, eight year-old Landen Fresch was playing in his front yard with his 12-week old Labrador Retriever puppy, Caesar. When Caesar playfully wandered into next-door neighbor John Jefferson’s yard, Mr. Jefferson sprayed both Caesar and Landen in the face with Mace.
Mace Pepper Spray is designed to be used when one is threatened or their life is in danger, not against puppies and children. When sprayed, Mace will cause the assailant’s eyes to involuntarily close upon direct contact and often causes an intense burning sensation to the skin, eyes and throat that can last up to 2 hours.
“What happened to the days when neighbors helped neighbors,” said Fresch’s attorney Jason J. Guari of Murray & Guari. “Mr. Jefferson maced Caesar because he didn’t want the puppy on his property. He then maced Landon on the Fresch’s property. Landen is now afraid to play outside and is apprehensive in dealing with new people. All he wanted to do was play with his new puppy; instead he had to deal with trauma of being maced by a neighbor and receiving medical attention for facial burns,” added Guari.
The police report by the Palm Beach Sheriff’s office shows that the puppy wandered into Mr. Jefferson’s yard and was maced in the face. Mr. Jefferson then came onto the Fresch’s property and maced the young boy in the face.
“Landen is a great kid,” said Guari. “He is an honor student at HL Johnson School, where in 2005, he was recognized with a Palm Beach County Sports Achievement Award which highlights a student’s grades, character, community service and sports achievement. It’s a travesty when a child and puppy get maced, and even more so when it happens at the hands of a neighbor.”
The family has made a claim for negligence against their neighbor Mr. Jefferson.
To view television coverage of the case click here: Battle Between Neighbors
Jason J. Guari is a partner in the law firm of Murray Guari Trial Attorneys PL. The firm was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, at 319 8th Street. Mr. Guari can be contacted at (561) 366-9099. Additional information about Murray Guari Trial Attorneys PL may be obtained from the firm’s website at www.murrayguari.com.
Contact
Tracy Vaspoli, Murray Guari Trial Attorneys PL
(561) 366-9099
Kim Sailer, BARD Marketing/PR
ksailer@bardmarketing.com
