Click here to subscribe today or Login.
WILKES-BARRE — A woman who sued for payment of veterinary bills for her dog allegedly mauled by Beth Gilbert’s pets faces a counterclaim of harassment and defamation.
Gilbert of Lehigh Street filed a countersuit Thursday against Carrie Amann and others in connection with the alleged mauling on May 4 of this year.
Gilbert, 25, a Wilkes-Barre city councilwoman, alleged she has been “threatened, defamed and harassed … both in person and on social media over the course of the last thirteen to fourteen months.” She asked for $12,000 in costs and damages from Amann, Kevin Amann, Beth Ciliberto, Al Ciliberto and Carl Zaklukiewicz.
“In regards to the countersuit, I cannot say anything further due to the upcoming court date, and any further details will be revealed in court,” Gilbert said in an email.
District Justice Rick Cronauer set a hearing for 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 1 for both cases.
Attorney Michael P. Kelly of Wilkes-Barre, who represents Carrie Amann in the civil complaint filed July 26, said he had not seen Gilbert’s countersuit and declined comment.
Messages left with the Cilibertos and Zaklukiewicz were not immediately returned Thursday.
In her complaint, Amann sought $4,224 from Gilbert to cover bills from Northeast Veterinary Hospital. Amann alleged her dog, Huck, suffered serious injuries after Gilbert’s dogs pulled the animal under a shared fence between their Lehigh Street properties and mauled it.