A Carbon County jury panel awarded a Lehighton woman damages for injuries she sustained when attacked by a dog outside the county’s animal shelter.

The panel awarded Noreen Coffin $40,000. The award was broken down as follows: $15,000 for pain and suffering, $5,000 for embarrassment and humiliation, $5,000 for loss of ability to enjoy the pleasure of life, $5,000 for disfigurement and $10,000 for future medical expenses.

The suit also sought damages for Coffin’s husband, Darvin, for loss of consortium, but the jury declined to award him any money.

The incident occurred on Sept. 17, 2019, outside the shelter, which is located next to the county prison at 63 Broad St., Nesquehoning.

Coffin, a volunteer at the shelter, arrived at the facility to perform her duties on that date. When she arrived one of the other volunteers at the shelter, Zachary Thomas, Lansford, was walking one of the animals at the shelter, a dog named “Parker.”

Coffin got out of her vehicle and was attempting to walk into the shelter when Parker “unexpectedly jumped and snapped at her face,” the suit states. Coffin asked Thomas to take the dog away.

The suit states, “almost simultaneously and without any warning whatsoever the above described dog viciously and brutally attacked Noreen Coffin.”

Negligence was alleged against the defendants for injuries Coffin sustained in the attack which are detailed in the suit and were testified to at the trial.

The original suit named the animal shelter and Thomas as defendants. However, it was later agreed that the shelter be removed as a defendant and that the County of Carbon be named defendant since it operates the shelter. Both sides agreed to the change.

The trial was held before Judge Steven R. Serfass.

The defendants have 10 days to file a notice of appeal of the verdict.