Small dog attacked toddler while in walk

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This all happened yesterday so still processing.

I was walking with my toddler (22 months) and infant. Infant strapped to chest as toddler is about a foot in front of me. A very small terrier mix ran from porch and started attacking DD. Bit her on the legs and would not let go. Dog owner (woman in her 60s) yelled at dog to stop, in a panic I kicked the dog hard. The dog let go and ran back to the porch and neighbor screamed at me for kicking dog. I swooped crying toddler up and headed home.

DH took her to urgent care and they asked for address of dog owner so they can attempt to get vaccination record. Police went and thankfully dog is up to date on vaccines but is being quarantined. DD got antibiotic shot but is ok.

Today an officer came by to question us about the incident. The neighbors are claiming we came on to property and assaulted the dog.

DH is fuming and wants to get a lawyer and sue for damages (medical bills, which overall aren’t that bad).

I am not a confrontational person. These people live 8 houses down. We are fairly new to area and I don’t want this to become a bigger issue.

I do think they should offer to pay for DD medical expenses. I’m confused as to why they say we went onto their property and I kicked dog. All this took place on sidewalk and I kicked the dog to get it off my child?


Should we get a lawyer? Especially if our neighbors are going to accuse me of something I did not do?

The "every dog is entitled to one bite" thing is real. My son was the first of two middle school age kids at a halloween corn maze place who were bitten by an elderly, arthritic, matted dog who clearly should have been given sanctuary from tons of hyper kids--thre were some organized groups as well as families (my son went with my sister and her daughter). My son reached down and petted the dog and ended up with 7 stitches, even wearing a lined, fairly thick, jacket. Right after that a girl got bit. They both ended up in the same ER. Dog was not vaccinated and ordered euthanized. Read in the paper the girl got a decent settlement, which I had not considered. Called a lawyer who said sine my kid was bitten first we were out of luck.

Your kid pet an old, sickly dog probably without asking first if that was ok. Seeking a settlement is greedy since your kid was in the wrong. Poor dog was euthanized because you were irresponsible parents who did not teach their kids not to approach an animal without asking first if it’s ok.

[Anonymous]

I’m losing my mind at all the lawyers in this thread who seem not to know personal injury lawyers work on contingency?? They’ll just get a percentage of what the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance pays out, no sweat off your back.

I’d sue. Dogs who bite humans, let alone babies, deserve absolutely no quarter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is one of my biggest fears with pet owners today, OP. They are out of control and let their animals run amok. This dog was a menace and I'm sorry that it attacked your child. I'm glad that your DD is doing better.

In your shoes, I'd have done the exact thing. I do not mourn this dog in the slightest. I'd kick/beat/stomp anything that attacked my child. I don't even know why this is in question. The owners sound like lunatics. I would look into moving. So sorry, OP

+1

This is the neighbor everyone knows about, for real OP - not the one that is gossiped about for no reason, but the one that is gossiped about for very good reason, OP. I would consider moving.

Did your house previously have high turnover? If so, now you know why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m losing my mind at all the lawyers in this thread who seem not to know personal injury lawyers work on contingency?? They’ll just get a percentage of what the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance pays out, no sweat off your back.

I’d sue. Dogs who bite humans, let alone babies, deserve absolutely no quarter.

Oh we know. But we also know that lawyers don’t take low dollar contingency cases that aren’t a slam dunk payout with a single letter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, no lawyer. Everything turned out fine, although traumatic, for your child. Carry a can of Raid or Bear spray on walks….that will stop the dog. You were justified in kicking the dog, so I wouldn’t give that a second thought. You should probably keep your 22 month old closer so you can scoop her up. You never know what can happen.

Blame the victim much? So, a dog has more rights to a sidewalk than a toddler? Now we must carry bear spray to walk down the block when there are no bears around?

OP—I’m sorry, but not surprised. A few people I know had kids attacked by dogs, including one on the face, and got no apology. These were all in a park, adjacent to a school that requires leashes. Dogs unleashed, and the owners oblivious, negligent, and cruel.

[Anonymous]

PP back to add, that with zero consequences this dog will bite again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m losing my mind at all the lawyers in this thread who seem not to know personal injury lawyers work on contingency?? They’ll just get a percentage of what the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance pays out, no sweat off your back.

I’d sue. Dogs who bite humans, let alone babies, deserve absolutely no quarter.

Oh we know. But we also know that lawyers don’t take low dollar contingency cases that aren’t a slam dunk payout with a single letter.

No, there are at least 5 lawyers upthread saying how she shouldn’t hire a lawyer because it’s too expensive (for OP) to get litigious. Not that a lawyer won’t take the case at all.

At least get a consult. People who harbor dangerous animals need to be held liable. This is why insurance policies exist!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP back to add, that with zero consequences this dog will bite again.

The dog is dead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP back to add, that with zero consequences this dog will bite again.

The dog is dead.

The dog is not dead. The dog is in OP’s mind. OP made up the entire story. Adding that dog died was great continuation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP back to add, that with zero consequences this dog will bite again.

The dog is dead.

The dog is not dead. The dog is in OP’s mind. OP made up the entire story. Adding that dog died was great continuation.

What a croc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m losing my mind at all the lawyers in this thread who seem not to know personal injury lawyers work on contingency?? They’ll just get a percentage of what the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance pays out, no sweat off your back.

I’d sue. Dogs who bite humans, let alone babies, deserve absolutely no quarter.

Oh we know. But we also know that lawyers don’t take low dollar contingency cases that aren’t a slam dunk payout with a single letter.

No, there are at least 5 lawyers upthread saying how she shouldn’t hire a lawyer because it’s too expensive (for OP) to get litigious. Not that a lawyer won’t take the case at all.

At least get a consult. People who harbor dangerous animals need to be held liable. This is why insurance policies exist!

You know that OP did get a consult. Lawyer did not take any action on their behalf.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This all happened yesterday so still processing.

I was walking with my toddler (22 months) and infant. Infant strapped to chest as toddler is about a foot in front of me. A very small terrier mix ran from porch and started attacking DD. Bit her on the legs and would not let go. Dog owner (woman in her 60s) yelled at dog to stop, in a panic I kicked the dog hard. The dog let go and ran back to the porch and neighbor screamed at me for kicking dog. I swooped crying toddler up and headed home.

DH took her to urgent care and they asked for address of dog owner so they can attempt to get vaccination record. Police went and thankfully dog is up to date on vaccines but is being quarantined. DD got antibiotic shot but is ok.

Today an officer came by to question us about the incident. The neighbors are claiming we came on to property and assaulted the dog.

DH is fuming and wants to get a lawyer and sue for damages (medical bills, which overall aren’t that bad).

I am not a confrontational person. These people live 8 houses down. We are fairly new to area and I don’t want this to become a bigger issue.

I do think they should offer to pay for DD medical expenses. I’m confused as to why they say we went onto their property and I kicked dog. All this took place on sidewalk and I kicked the dog to get it off my child?


Should we get a lawyer? Especially if our neighbors are going to accuse me of something I did not do?

The "every dog is entitled to one bite" thing is real. My son was the first of two middle school age kids at a halloween corn maze place who were bitten by an elderly, arthritic, matted dog who clearly should have been given sanctuary from tons of hyper kids--thre were some organized groups as well as families (my son went with my sister and her daughter). My son reached down and petted the dog and ended up with 7 stitches, even wearing a lined, fairly thick, jacket. Right after that a girl got bit. They both ended up in the same ER. Dog was not vaccinated and ordered euthanized. Read in the paper the girl got a decent settlement, which I had not considered. Called a lawyer who said sine my kid was bitten first we were out of luck.

Your kid pet an old, sickly dog probably without asking first if that was ok. Seeking a settlement is greedy since your kid was in the wrong. Poor dog was euthanized because you were irresponsible parents who did not teach their kids not to approach an animal without asking first if it’s ok.

STFU

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, no lawyer. Everything turned out fine, although traumatic, for your child. Carry a can of Raid or Bear spray on walks….that will stop the dog. You were justified in kicking the dog, so I wouldn’t give that a second thought. You should probably keep your 22 month old closer so you can scoop her up. You never know what can happen.

Blame the victim much? So, a dog has more rights to a sidewalk than a toddler? Now we must carry bear spray to walk down the block when there are no bears around?

OP—I’m sorry, but not surprised. A few people I know had kids attacked by dogs, including one on the face, and got no apology. These were all in a park, adjacent to a school that requires leashes. Dogs unleashed, and the owners oblivious, negligent, and cruel.

This is fantastic! Every school should require leashes on kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP back to add, that with zero consequences this dog will bite again.

This dog is dead so no it will not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m losing my mind at all the lawyers in this thread who seem not to know personal injury lawyers work on contingency?? They’ll just get a percentage of what the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance pays out, no sweat off your back.

I’d sue. Dogs who bite humans, let alone babies, deserve absolutely no quarter.

Oh we know. But we also know that lawyers don’t take low dollar contingency cases that aren’t a slam dunk payout with a single letter.

No, there are at least 5 lawyers upthread saying how she shouldn’t hire a lawyer because it’s too expensive (for OP) to get litigious. Not that a lawyer won’t take the case at all.

At least get a consult. People who harbor dangerous animals need to be held liable. This is why insurance policies exist!

You know that OP did get a consult. Lawyer did not take any action on their behalf.

Different PP. I believe that OP consulted a real estate lawyer, not a personal injury lawyer. I had no problem getting a lawyer, twice for dogbites similar to OP's child's. They were personal injury lawyers, and both cases the homeowners insurance paid-never saw the inside of a courtroom.