Earlier this month in Carroll County, two women were mauled within an inch of their lives when they were attacked by a group of four pit-bulls. According to one local news source, the two young women, who were cousins, were finishing up a two-mile jog when they encountered the dogs.
Evidently, the women were wrapping up their evening jog when the dogs approached them. The women attempted to avoid the dogs, but the pack persisted in following them. Ultimately, the women tried to run home across a field, but the dogs caught up to them. When a passer-by noticed the two women, they were on the ground fighting for their lives. At this point, the dogs’ owner was also present, but he was unable to help on his own.
The passer-by may have saved the women’s lives by pulling them into her truck. It is believed that the women fought off the dogs for about half an hour before help arrived. Ultimately, both women were hospitalized in serious and critical condition. One woman had 75% of her scalp removed by the dogs. Doctors told her that her hair will never grow back.
The owner of the dogs turned himself in on eight counts of misdemeanor charges stemming from the attacks.
Dog Bite Cases in Indiana
Indiana is one of many states that have enacted fairly comprehensive laws when it comes to dog bite liability. However, it is not just the owners of dangerous breeds that need to be concerned with this law. In fact, it is a citable offense to allow any dog to wander off an owner’s property unless the owner has “reasonable control” of the animal. This is regardless of any known propensity the animal has to be violent or to attack people or animals.
When a dog does attack a passer-by who was not provoking the dog, the dog owner can be held liable in a civil court of law for the damages the dog caused. Many times, since the attack stemmed from a violation of a law like the one discussed above, owners may be held strictly liable. This means that the accident victim will likely have an easier time proving their case.
Often, since the physical injuries are so severe, these damages can be substantial and may include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, decrease in earning capacity, and other expenses related to being an accident victim. A dog bite victim may also be entitled to compensation for any pain and suffering that they have endured as a result.
Have You Been Bitten or Seriously Injured by a Dog?
If you or a loved one has recently been seriously injured after a dog bite, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. Depending on the facts of the case, strict liability may be imposed, making your case easier to establish because certain elements need not be proven. To learn more about Indiana dog bite cases, call one of the dedicated personal injury attorneys at the Indiana accident law firm of Parr Richey Frandsen Patterson Kruse, LLP at 888-532-7766 today. Calling is free and will not result in any obligation on your part.
Related Posts:
10-Year-Old Girl Killed in Miami County Car Accident; Alcohol Suspected, Indiana Injury Lawyer Blog, October 19, 2015
Fog Blamed in Northwest Indiana Fatal Accident, Indiana Injury Lawyer Blog, October 19, 2015