Woman sues couple, claims their dog caused motorcycle accident

A woman is suing a Butte couple, alleging their unrestrained dog caused a motorcycle crash that injured her last year.

Nicole May filed a complaint this week in Butte district court seeking monetary damages for injuries she sustained in the motorcycle crash that she blames on a loose dog.

The lawsuit alleges that a dog owned by Richard and Kim Talley was running free on the side of Highway 2 in Butte on March 17, 2007. May was a passenger on the motorcycle being driven by Joshua Bacon, according to court papers.

The lawsuit states Bacon swerved to avoid hitting the dog when it wandered into the roadway, causing the motorcycle to crash. May suffered severe physical and emotional injuries from the crash, according to the complaint.

The lawsuit, filed by lawyer Cynthia Smith of Missoula, claims the Talleys are responsible for May’s injuries because they allegedly failed to have their dog restrained.

Neither the Talleys nor May’s lawyer could be reached for comment Friday.

— John Grant Emeigh, The Montana Standard