Carpentersville pit bull suit settled

A 53-year Carpentersville man who was attacked by a pit bull in his own backyard last fall and received 25 stitches on his leg has settled his lawsuit against the neighbors who owned the dog.

“We amicably settled our differences,” said Matt Gill, attorney for Charles H. Cory III.

Gill declined to specify how much his client received, but did note that the homeowners' insurance company of the dog owner paid out the settlement.

“Everybody's still neighbors, and that's why they don't want to disclose anything,” Gil said.

Cory sued his neighbors Karen, Robert and Ryan Erb for damages of more than $100,000 after a Nov. 28, 2009, incident in which he was attacked by a pit bull as he filled bird feeders behind his home on the 300 block of Sedgewick Street.

Thomas Scherschel, an attorney representing the Erbs, declined to comment Wednesday.

A Carpentersville police report said Cory “dragged himself on the ground with his arms” after the dog refused to let go. He eventually crawled up onto his deck, through a patio door and into his kitchen, where he could call for help.

He later received 25 stitches for cuts on his leg, police said.

Gill said Cory missed 10 days of work, has scars on his left leg and minor tingling in his left foot.

“The dog bit him through his shoe and crushed his small toe,” Gill said.

One of the defendants, Karen Erb, said in a brief interview this past spring that the American Terrier named Zeus had been given to her family unexpectedly.

She said the dog was usually kept on a leash and never acted violently toward her young daughter.

Erb said the dog which was eventually euthanized was up to date on shots and licensing, well cared for and that the attack was “totally a freak thing.”