Pets are often considered part of the family. When there is a real or perceived threat to a pet, owners often react just as they would if their children were being attacked. Unfortunately, one woman in Wisconsin is said to have suffered serious injuries while trying to protect her dog. In similar dog attack cases, victims have chosen to hold dog owners accountable by filing a personal injury lawsuit.
The incident reportedly happened at approximately 7:30 a.m. one morning in October. The victim reportedly had her dog on a run in her yard. She later heard a noise and realized her pet was being attacked by two dogs that were loose in her backyard. When she tried to protect her dog, she herself was attacked and suffered serious injuries.
The dogs were later tracked down by police. One was shot by an officer when it reportedly attempted to attack the officers. The second dog is being held in quarantine while tests to determine whether it has rabies can be completed. Police were able to locate the dogs’ owner by interviewing neighbors. The owner was reportedly unaware that the animals were no longer in the yard.
A dog attack such as this can quickly inflict lifelong physical and emotional damage requiring extensive treatment. Many victims in Wisconsin have difficulty coping with the cost of their medical bills. To further complicate matters, some find themselves unable to work while they recover, making their financial circumstances even more unstable. In an effort to reduce their financial burden, many dog attack victims choose to file a personal injury lawsuit. A successfully presented case often results in an award of damages that allows victims to focus on recovery rather than how they will pay their bills.
Source: jsonline.com, “Glendale woman seriously injured while saving pet from attacking pit bulls“, Bruce Vielmetti, Oct 23, 2015
