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SANDY — A woman is suing a Cottonwood Heights man for negligence, claiming he struck her with his horse in Dimple Dell Park in Sandy.
In the suit filed in 3rd District Court, Teri Jacobson alleges that on Dec. 14, 2010, she was walking with her dogs when she observed Timothy Ruflin riding a horse. As she passed Ruflin, she claims he was touching himself inappropriately and told him to stop.
Jacobson said Ruflin became angry and charged at her with his horse, failing to stop before striking her and knocking her to the ground, according to the lawsuit.
The woman claims to have received injuries to her shoulder, hand, hip, knee, neck, arm and chest when the horse struck her.
She claims to have received injuries to her shoulder, hand, hip, knee, neck, arm and chest for which she suffered physical, mental and nervous pain and incurred costs for the purchase of medicines and treatment by medical professionals. She also alleges that she will require further medical services for the care and treatment of her injuries.
Ruflin denied the allegations, calling them baseless. He said he encountered Jacobson with her dogs off-leash in Dimple Dell Park three times in a six month period, including one incident where he was attacked by her animals. He said he reported her to Sandy City Animal Control and suggested that she is attacking his character in retaliation.
"The evidence clearly shows I'm the victim in this case," Ruflin said. "Her dogs attacked me and my horse, causing injuries to me and my animals."
On the issue of his alleged public lewdness, he called the claim "dumbfounding."
"That's absurd," he said. "I'm a family man. That is something I would never fathom doing."
Sandy Police Sgt. Jon Arnold said a police report was filed regarding the incident but no criminal charges were ever brought against Ruflin. According to Sandy Justice Court personnel, charges were filed against Jacobson on Dec. 14, 2010, and are still awaiting judgement, including multiple counts of failure to report an animal bite, animals attacking person or other animal, animal at large and animal nuisance.
The suit does not specify a dollar amount but Jacobson is seeking damages for past and future medical expenses, general damages and court expenses.
Email:benwood@desnews.com
