Fox Business anchor Jackie DeAngelis has filed a lawsuit against Whole Foods, alleging she sustained permanent injuries to her left hand after a pit bull attacked her inside one of the grocery chain’s Manhattan stores. The incident, which occurred in September 2023, is detailed in a complaint filed on August 20 in Manhattan Supreme Court. DeAngelis, 46, a co-host of "The Big Money Show," was shopping at the Whole Foods location at 10 Columbus Circle when the alleged attack took place.
"failed to reasonably enforce its own policies, practices and/or procedures concerning animals entering and remaining within the subject store." Lawsuit Filing, Jackie DeAngelis v. Whole Foods
According to the lawsuit, a black pit bull bit DeAngelis's left hand, causing injuries that necessitated surgery and have resulted in ongoing physical impairment. The complaint asserts that Whole Foods failed to enforce its own policies regarding animals in its stores, thereby allowing an unauthorized dog to remain on the premises. Whole Foods' publicly stated policy prohibits pets inside its stores, with exceptions made only for service animals recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The lawsuit specifically alleges that the pit bull involved in the incident was not a legitimate service animal. Furthermore, it claims that store employees failed to identify the animal as unauthorized or to remove it from the store before the attack occurred. The complaint states, "[Whole Foods] failed to reasonably enforce its own policies, practices and/or procedures concerning animals entering and remaining within the subject store." It also accuses the company of failing to "exercise reasonable care in controlling and regulating the presence of unauthorized animals within its premises."
Following the attack, police officers responded to the scene, but the dog and its owner had reportedly left the store before their arrival, according to information cited by the New York Post. DeAngelis's attorneys indicate that she continues to suffer from significant scarring, reduced mobility, and difficulty performing daily tasks due to the injuries sustained to her left hand. The legal filing describes the damage as "permanent and continuing," and DeAngelis is seeking unspecified damages from Whole Foods to cover medical expenses, physical injuries, and emotional distress related to the incident.
This lawsuit brings renewed attention to the regulations governing the presence of animals in grocery stores and other commercial establishments. Whole Foods' policy, consistent with many retailers, distinguishes between trained service animals, which are permitted, and pets or emotional support animals that do not meet the legal definition of a service animal, which are generally prohibited. The core of DeAngelis's claim rests on the alleged failure of store personnel to adhere to and enforce this distinction.
The incident also reignites discussions surrounding pit bulls and breed-specific legislation. The dog involved in the alleged attack was identified as a black pit bull. Pit bull breeds have frequently been central to debates concerning serious dog attacks and potential restrictions. Organizations like DogsBite.org, which monitors fatal dog attacks in the U.S., have reported that pit bulls were implicated in approximately 66% of U.S. dog-bite fatalities between 2005 and 2024. The estimated proportion of pit bulls within the overall U.S. dog population varies widely.
Several medical studies, as referenced by the Daily Wire, suggest that injuries from pit bull attacks can be particularly severe when compared to attacks involving some other dog breeds. This perceived severity often fuels arguments for breed-specific laws, with proponents contending that such regulations can mitigate serious attacks. Conversely, critics of breed-specific legislation argue that a dog's behavior is influenced by factors beyond its breed alone, including training, socialization, and owner responsibility. Internationally, more than 20 countries, including the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Norway, reportedly have bans or significant restrictions on pit bulls.
The lawsuit against Whole Foods remains pending in Manhattan Supreme Court, and the grocery chain has not yet been found liable for DeAngelis’s alleged injuries. Jackie DeAngelis continues her work as an anchor for Fox Business while pursuing her claim for damages related to the injuries she attributes to the September 2023 attack.
