The owner of a local church is denying responsibility for the injuries a woman suffered when a fireworks display held on the property spooked her dogs.
In June, Patricia Pedersen filed a claim against Christian and Missionary Alliance - Canadian Pacific District, which owns the Lakewood Alliance Church at the corner of Fifth and Ospika.
Pedersen is seeking damages for the injuries suffered on the night of Oct. 10, 2015. She had been walking her two dogs in an adjacent greenbelt when the fireworks went off, creating a "loud and unexpected noise" that caused the dogs to bolt.
Her injures included breaking her left humerus - a bone in the upper arm - and tearing a muscle in her rotator cuff.
Pedersen alleged Lakewood had an obligation to give any advance notice that there would be fireworks going off in vicinity of the area and failed to obtain permits to purchase and use the items.
In a response filed in early November, the Christian and Missionary Alliance said the event's organizers were not required to provide advance notice and check the surrounding area prior to igniting the fireworks.
The organization also said it obtained a fireworks permit from the city and "met or exceeded the standard of care in the circumstances."
The city, which has also been named as a defendant in the claim, has not yet filed a response.
None of the allegations have yet been tested in court.
