ORLANDO, Fla. – A woman is suing Universal Studios after she was attacked by a security dog during a visit last year, according to court records filed on Wednesday.
The lawsuit says that the woman — identified as Jennifer Rhodes — came to the Orlando theme park with her three young children in August 2024. One of those children reportedly suffers from severe autism.
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According to the lawsuit, Rhodes had called guest services before her visit to figure out the best way to help her daughter enter the park.
“(Rhodes) was directed to find a security guard upon arriving at the park and to inform the security guard of her daughter’s autism,” the lawsuit reads. “She was told that the security guard would provide assistance with park entry.”
As such, when Rhodes arrived at the park with her children, she approached a patrolling security guard who was accompanied by a guard dog, the lawsuit claims.
However, when she tried to tell the guard about her autistic child, the dog attacked, the lawsuit states.
“Without provocation or fault by (Rhodes), the dog proceeded to jump on (Rhodes) and savagely attacked her, biting (Rhodes) on her arm, wrist and abdomen, and causing (Rhodes) to suffer serious and permanent injuries,” the lawsuit continues.
Now, Rhodes is accusing Southern Coast K9 of liability and negligence in the attack, arguing by extension that Universal acted negligently for contracting with the security company.
As a result, Rhodes is seeking at least $5 million in damages from the two companies.
You can read the full lawsuit below: