Fox Business Network anchor Jackie DeAngelis filed a lawsuit against Whole Foods Market, claiming the grocery chain failed to enforce its pet policy and allowed an unleashed dog she says was not a legitimate service animal to bite her hand in September 2023.
DeAngelis, 46, was shopping at the Whole Foods location at 10 Columbus Circle when a black pit bull bit her hand, according to the complaint filed August 20 in Manhattan Supreme Court. She alleges the injuries were severe enough to require surgery and have resulted in permanent scarring, reduced mobility and ongoing difficulty performing everyday tasks.
The Allegations
DeAngelis claims Whole Foods violated its own policies by allowing the dog inside the store. The company prohibits pets but permits service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Under federal law, a service dog must be individually trained to perform specific work or tasks related to a person’s disability, according to ADA guidelines. “Animals that provide emotional support or companionship alone do not qualify as service animals under the ADA,” meaning businesses have clearer grounds to restrict them.
The complaint alleges that Whole Foods failed to exercise reasonable care in controlling and regulating animals on its property. The dog and its owner left the store before police arrived.
The Legal Claims
DeAngelis is seeking unspecified damages for medical expenses, emotional distress and other losses. The lawsuit describes her injuries as “permanent and continuing.”
Her case will hinge on whether the dog should have been permitted inside the store and whether Whole Foods had a legal obligation to prevent the attack. A service dog may be removed if it is out of control and its handler fails to manage it effectively.
Broader Context on Dog Bite Injuries
The case emerges amid ongoing debate about severe dog attacks and breed-related injury patterns. A 2026 study tracking 276 dog-bite patients found that attacks identified as involving pit bulls were significantly more likely to require surgical intervention than other breeds.
However, researchers cautioned that breed identification by witnesses or victims can be unreliable. Mixed breeds are difficult to classify visually, and no universally accepted estimates exist for the total U.S. population of pit bull-type dogs.
DogsBite.org, which tracks severe dog attacks, reported pit bulls were involved in roughly two-thirds of fatalities it documented between 2005 and 2019, though this figure uses the organization’s own classification methods rather than federal data.
DeAngelis’ Profile
DeAngelis co-hosts Fox Business Network’s “The Big Money Show.” Recent reporting indicates she may be among candidates considered for a prime-time slot previously held by Maria Bartiromo.
This story has been updated. CNN’s Digital team contributed to this report.
