The victims of a vicious dog attack on Oct. 8, 2013 in Norwich have filed a 12-count lawsuit in New London Superior Court against the owner of the two pit bulls allegedly involved in the attack.

The suit seeks monetary damages for physical, emotional trauma resulting from the attacks.

Marquice Downing Sr., father of the three children involved in the attack, and Lisa Hall, the children’s grandmother, filed suit Sept. 25 against Sheri Speer, owner of pit bulls named Skyler and Dolly that were taken into custody by the city following the attack.

Speer has filed two lawsuits challenging the city animal control officer’s dog destruction order on both dogs.

Speer claims her dogs were confined at the time, and other pit bulls roaming the neighborhood might have been involved in the attack.

The suit by the Downings and Hall includes claims of liability, negligence and nuisance against Speer for each of the four victims of the attack.

According to the police record and testimony at the Aug. 25, 2014, state Department of Agriculture hearing, the attack occurred when Hall was escorting her three young grandchildren from their home at 123 Talman St. — a rental house owned by Speer — to the Bishop School playground in Norwich.

When the family walked along the street in front of 151 Talman St., Speer’s home, two large pit bulls charged from the yard.

One dog attacked the baby stroller carrying then-9-month-old Marquice Downing Jr., knocking the stroller over and causing a minor bite wound on the baby’s forehead.

The baby’s sister, Marlena Downing, then almost 5, stuck her arm out to protect the baby. The dog latched onto her arm, shaking it, tearing flesh and breaking her arm.

Photos of the girl's red and purple bruised and swollen arm were shown at the Department of Agriculture hearing.

The lawsuit claims Marlena Downing suffered “severe, multiple lacerations and puncture wounds” on her left arm, which also was broken and required emergency surgery to set the arm with inserted screws, the suit said.

Hall was bitten in the leg as she kicked at the dog.

While the attack occurred, Marlena’s twin sister, Audrena Downing, ran screaming toward her home. The second dog chased her.

She banged on a neighboring tenant’s door, and a woman let the child enter. The girl hid behind the couch until police arrived.

c.bessette@theday.com

Twitter: @Bessettetheday