Ashby vs. Belinsky

Case Background

On March 4, 2020, Plaintiff Susan M. N. Ashby | Valdo Colomba filed a Dog Attack lawsuit in the California State, Contra Costa County, Superior Court (Case number: MSC20-00464). Judge Clare Maier and John P Devine presided over the case.

Cause

On July 21, 2019, Susan Ashby and her dog Roxy were walking near their Monte Vista Ridge Road home in Orinda, California. Roxy was leashed and harnessed. Vladimir and Georgia Belinsky's 10-year-old, 16-17 pound Chihuahua mix, Bartok, was unleashed and unsupervised. Bartok ran aggressively toward Ashby and Roxy from the Belinskys' property. In response, Roxy pinned Bartok. Valdo Colombu, who was nearby in his truck, attempted to help separate the dogs. Vladimir Belinsky then ran from his garage wielding a steel circular saw. He struck Roxy over 25 times on her head, neck, shoulders, and back. Belinsky did not attempt to calm the situation or retrieve his dog. During the assault, Bartok bit Colombu multiple times on his right hand and upper left thigh. After the dogs were separated, Belinsky continued to yell obscenities and threats. He aggressively approached Colombu, shoving him in the chest twice while still holding the saw. Belinsky lunged at Colombu a third time as Colombu retreated. On July 23, 2019, Contra Costa County Animal Services informed Belinsky that video surveillance showed Bartok initiated the incident. Despite this, three days later, the Belinskys began posting false and misleading information on the social media platform Nextdoor. These posts reached up to 10,000 members. They published Ashby and Colombu's home addresses and photos, encouraging neighbors to sign declarations to have Roxy removed or euthanized. The final Animal Ser