Paisley Hedgehog Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 nm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vettechmomof2 Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 Have your doctor take pictures, no matter where the bite is. They are normally viewed better than you taking them yourself but that is a good idea as well. If there are any other neighbors willing to possibly testify or at least write written accounts of the dogs behavior that can be helpful sometimes as well. Do you have a dog warden and were their complaints made to them before this bite occurred? If so try to have either the dog warden or those accounts ready as well. Sorry this happened to you! :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt_Uhura Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 OH Shari, I'm so sorry. Just imagine if you had been a child, at face level w/ the dog. The bite could have been fatal for a small child. I have no advice but agree to have photos taken and be sure to bring any witnesses with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keniki Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 Yes, get a copy of the police report and make sure you understand everything and every code on it. If it isn't accurate, you could be sunk. Otherwise, I think the others have given you good advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 :grouphug:Shari. Prepare and go to court with everything. Police report, pictures, medical bills, documents and information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alicia64 Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 I'm a lifelong dog lover, but these kinds of stories really scare me. A woman was mauled to death in NM just a few days ago. When I walk now I'm thinking of taking red pepper spray with me. I'm also in a situation -- very different than this -- where we're dealing with lawyers for the first time ever. They scare me too. I highly, highly recommend that you read Winning Every Time by Lis Wiehl. It will really help you understand where a lawyer is coming from. It's a fast, very interesting read. I'm a library person, but I ordered this book to keep. Good luck, Alley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Princess Peach Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 :grouphug: I don't have any first-hand experience with this, but you've gotten some great advice here. Why don't people control their dogs? :confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunshine_librarian Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 I would just encourage you to make yourself a small journal entry of exactly what happened. That way when you are deposed or otherwise asked about the incident you are consistent. I went through depositions after a robbery and after an accident. The one after my accident was three hours long - the accident had only taken about 10 seconds to occur and involved no other people. I know the lawyers were only doing their jobs but I got nervous every time I would say something and someone would start scribbling frantically. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anita in NC Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 Was animal control called? Was the dog up-to-date on their rabies vaccine? I'm surprised the dog wasn't taken by animal control to be held for a certain number of days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 I think I would call a lawyer. Just to make sure this never happens to anyone ever again. I had a friend whose mixed breed dog got out of his house and bit someone. Apparently the skin was not broken but the women immediately started shouting at him she was going to sue. She went to the hospital for a tetanus shot and then got a lawyer. She got around a $30,000 settlement. It was crazy. I"m not telling you to sue but I would want to seriously make a big deal out of this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravinlunachick Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 How scary! I'm glad the bite wasn't medically serious. My neighbors have boxer/pit bull mixes that run loose (in violation of the law) and they bark and snarl so much that I can't even walk with my kids up the street or take my puppy for a walk. :( Do be sure to contact your state's animal control office. Your local animal shelter may be able to put you in touch with them. I don't know where you are, but in my state, dogs are only "allowed" 2 bites, and then they must be put down. They must also be quarantined after a bite, iirc. I hope court goes smoothly for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swirl Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 I think I would call a lawyer. :iagree: Since you weren't trespassing and didn't provoke this dog, the owner's homeowner's insurance will probably cover your entire claim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twilight Woods Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 If the dog owner was cited then animal control should have been called. Physician's and hospitals are required to report animal bites to their local animal control. If the owner cannot prove a up-to-date rabies vaccination then the dog should have been quarantined till proof of no rabies is found. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.