Owners of Dog Killed by Truck Ordered to Pay

A small claims court has ordered the owners of a dog that was struck and killed by a pickup truck to pay the owner of the truck $362 for damage to the vehicle.

John Gusan was driving a new pickup that his parents gave him for his 17th birthday in Simi Valley in September when the dog, owned by Bonnie and Michael Treguboff, darted into the street, said Gusan’s mother, Nicadora. She represented the youth at a hearing in the Simi Valley branch of Ventura County Municipal Court on Wednesday.

Michael Treguboff said he questioned whether his 20-pound dog, a 3-year-old mixed breed named Brandy, could have caused so much damage to a truck. He and the Gusans were informed of the judge’s decision by mail on Friday.

“Most people, when they kill a dog like that, feel a little guilty,” said Michael Treguboff. “This guy, the first thing he said was, ‘Look what he did to my car.’ ”

“This wasn’t just for the money,” said Nicadora Gusan. She said she wanted to emphasize the importance of the community’s leash law. “People should keep their dogs safe,” she said.

“And I’m happy my son didn’t swerve in that light truck. He could have turned over and died.”