Ridgefield Park Faces Second Lawsuit Over Brutal Rottweiler Attack That Left Woman Severely Injured

According to the complaint, Tamsen was attacked on April 5, 2023, by two Rottweilers owned by Jeffrey D. Robinson Jr., while walking with a friend on Central Avenue, near Hobart Street and Sixth Street.

Four-Minute Attack Left Victim With Life-Threatening Injuries

Tamsen’s lawsuit paints a harrowing picture of the event, describing how the dogs allegedly attacked her relentlessly for nearly four minutes. The injuries were catastrophic:

• One dog reportedly tore off two portions of her scalp, leaving 20 square centimeters of skull exposed.

• The other mauled her thighs, buttocks, and perineum.

• Tamsen was rushed to the hospital with pieces of her scalp placed in plastic bags.

The suit claims the Rottweilers were known threats, yet allowed to roam freely despite prior incidents.

Previous Attacks and Multiple Legal Complaints

This latest filing follows a similar lawsuit by Suzanne and Peter Yoscary, who say Suzanne was attacked the same day as Tamsen. In addition, a 2022 attack involving Mayra Feliciano and her dog led to a separate lawsuit, which was settled in December 2023 with Robinson’s estate and his landlord, Mahal Developers LLC.

Records show the same two Rottweilers were found loose on two separate occasions in September 2022, and had a history of being unvaccinated, unlicensed, and unregistered.

Police and Officials Accused of Failing to Protect the Public

Tamsen’s lawsuit accuses the Ridgefield Park Police Department, village officials, and Health Inspector Frank DiBenedetto of:

• Failing to contact animal control after earlier incidents.

• Returning the dogs to Robinson on two occasions, despite their violent history.

• Ignoring warnings and documentation of prior attacks.

• Failing to issue summonses, conduct proper inspections, or enforce quarantine rules.

• Lacking adequate training and protocols to respond to dangerous dog complaints.

Landlord and Village Also Named in Lawsuit

The lawsuit adds Robinson’s landlord to the list of defendants, stating that the property owner should have known the dogs posed a risk and failed to secure the perimeter to protect the community.

Notably, Robinson died in a car crash just days after the April 2023 attacks, leaving his estate and will executor to respond to the legal claims.

Seeking Justice and Accountability

Tamsen is seeking:

• Compensatory damages

• Attorney’s fees and court costs

• Medical expense reimbursement

As of now, neither Ridgefield Park Police Chief Joseph Rella nor Village Attorney Philip Boggia have issued public statements regarding the lawsuit.