Elway Sued Over Alleged Attack by Dog

AURORA, Colo. —  A man who said he was attacked by John Elway’s dog when he tried to return some business papers to Elway has sued the Denver Broncos’ quarterback for $50,000.

David Russell, 22, acting as his own attorney, said he seeks damages for medical expenses, time lost from work, pain and suffering.

Russell filed the suit Friday in Arapahoe County Court after repeated efforts to contact Elway failed, he said.

However, Elway’s lawyer, Steve Petrucci, said Elway’s delay in contacting Russell was due to the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Department investigating the theft of Elway’s personal papers and contracts from Petrucci’s firm, Pro Phase Inc.

Investigators said Russell, who works as a security guard in the building that houses Pro Phase, has been questioned in the case.

“We don’t want to say anything until we have all the facts. We need to know who stole the papers. John wants to be fair, but there are a lot of inconsistencies in Mr. Russell’s story,” Petrucci said.

Russell said he offered to take a lie detector test to prove he didn’t steal the papers.

Russell said he found a batch of Elway’s contracts on a sidewalk in the office park last Sunday. He saw Elway’s name and address on them and drove to Elway’s home to return them and maybe get a glimpse of the football star.

At Elway’s curb, Russell said, a large black Labrador retriever attacked him, bit his toe and knocked him down. Russell said he fractured his knee and suffered numerous cuts and bruises.

Elway was not cited following an animal control investigation.