What mother would not kick a dog tgat was attacking her toddler??

I'm a lawyer and I wouldn't sue. Mainly because litigation is painful for everyone involved and just a crappy way to resolve everything. Your health insurance may end up suing them, though, which you won't have any control over.

I would just ignore these people in the future.

Also, OP, you did the right thing. Dogs are not people and cannot be reasoned with. I am a runner and have had a couple run-ins with dogs. I'm always stunned when owners unleash their dogs and do not call them when they see them about to attack a runner. In my mind, with no leash and no intervention from the owner, it's between me and the dog. And I always immediately square off, let out a primal scream, and prepare to kick the dog into next week.

Sorry if this has been covered but any chance OPs homeowners insurance can recoup from dog biter’s insurance?
My take is they got panicky that their dog would be put down and then just started lying. I’m sorry you’re dealing with this OP.

OP, I'd consider suing them.

Looks like we are going to have to go about it the hard way. DH went over to fill discuss payment and concerns about dog and all he got out of it was a thinly veiled threat.

She’s more concerned about the dog catching something while quarantined than she is my kid. Not once did she ask if she was ok. I get some people love their dogs more than people, but I truly can’t imagine. I’d be absolutely torn up if my dog hurt anyone, especially a child.

DD is fine. A big part of me wants to drop it. Let it blow over. I already have this fear we are outsiders in this neighborhood and haven’t been here long enough to form a sense of community. Do I really want to be the neighbor who sued an elderly couple?

Most people in this neighborhood are older retirees who have lived in their houses for decades. We are a young visibly hispanic family. I’m sure it’s all just my own stuff I’m projecting. Everyone aside from little Cujo’s owners have been nothing but kind and welcoming.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH got connected to a free consultation with a lawyer from his company.

She basically echoed what must have said. No reason to legally act now, but she did suggest we keep a record and make sure there’s a report (there is). She also suggested we request compensation from the neighbors, it’s pretty typical with dog attacks that owners should pay any medical expenses. It gives them the opportunity to understand there are real financial consequences and hopefully they’ll be careful with the dog moving forward.

So DD is going over there later to attempt to have a cordial, rational conversation.

But no, for now we aren’t going to go after her legally or ask her dog be put down. We are going to give her another opportunity to correct her mistakes.

Why would you daughter who is a toddler go over there to talk to them?

DH/DD

I’ve messed up numerous times on here and exchanged the two. Most people have been able to figure it out with context clues.

Anonymous wrote:Just a quick sidebar to say that sometimes in these situations the best way to handle them for the bite victim is to grab the dog by its rear hips and attempt to drag it. It may release its grip this way and unless it’s of overpowering strength, you can have a lot of control over the dog if you maintain your grip.

While it may be cathartic and a survivalist instinct to kick it like you’re a place kicker in the NFL, grabbing it as I’ve described should be considered.

She’s really going to do that with her baby strapped to her chest and her daughter’s limb in the dog’s mouth

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH got connected to a free consultation with a lawyer from his company.

She basically echoed what must have said. No reason to legally act now, but she did suggest we keep a record and make sure there’s a report (there is). She also suggested we request compensation from the neighbors, it’s pretty typical with dog attacks that owners should pay any medical expenses. It gives them the opportunity to understand there are real financial consequences and hopefully they’ll be careful with the dog moving forward.

So DD is going over there later to attempt to have a cordial, rational conversation.

But no, for now we aren’t going to go after her legally or ask her dog be put down. We are going to give her another opportunity to correct her mistakes.

Why would you daughter who is a toddler go over there to talk to them?

Why would you ask such a stupid question when you know perfectly well that the OP meant DH?

Anonymous wrote:DH got connected to a free consultation with a lawyer from his company.

She basically echoed what must have said. No reason to legally act now, but she did suggest we keep a record and make sure there’s a report (there is). She also suggested we request compensation from the neighbors, it’s pretty typical with dog attacks that owners should pay any medical expenses. It gives them the opportunity to understand there are real financial consequences and hopefully they’ll be careful with the dog moving forward.

So DD is going over there later to attempt to have a cordial, rational conversation.

But no, for now we aren’t going to go after her legally or ask her dog be put down. We are going to give her another opportunity to correct her mistakes.

Why would you daughter who is a toddler go over there to talk to them?

Forgot to add, neither dog was ever put down, they both died of natural causes later.

OP, I've been attacked by dogs while I'm on the sidewalk, and both times the homeowners insurance settled with my attorney, I got medical costs plus some pain and suffering too so, you may get more than just the out-of-pocket costs.

Dog rescuer here, I would have kicked the dog and I would sue the cr*p out of that owner. So irresponsible to let the dog off leash! And then to double down by lying! Throw the book at them OP, you may also be saving that little dog's life.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did you file a police report and state what happened? Scumbags like these dog owners always try to scare you from suing. I would absolutely sue for damages - in VA you get paid even if insurance covered. I wouldn't worry about the "trespass and assault" counter suit since you were protecting a human child.

We did only because the owners would not willingly give us the dogs vaccination record. The police had to visit the home in order to obtain the records and thankfully the dog was up to date on vaccines.

What kind of jackass makes the police force them to give the dog's vaccination records?

The kind who need to know whether my child needed rabies vaccines.

Police wouldn’t have been involved if the neighbors would have emailed us the records as we asked.

I'm the PP you're replying to and my question was about the awful neighbor who had to be forced to give the OP the dog's vaccination records, not about OP.

Ah, I apologize. I misread and thought you were saying we were awful for trying to get the dogs vaccination records. There has been some crazy comments on this thread.

No worries; I'm sorry that you're having to deal with the nasty trolls and hope the situation gets settled amicably soon.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would want to sue only because then the homeowner’s insurance would kick in and they too would be in notice about the attacking dog living there. This may force the dog owner to get rid of the dog. What happens the next time you walk down the street there?

We won’t be walking past the house. And I will be carrying dog spray now.

But I legally, all we could do is force her to pay the medical bills. Everything else is done. There is a police report. Animal control is involved in the situation. We can’t push to have the dog put down, and I don’t even want that anyways. DH injuries aren’t significant enough and due to the dogs breed and size it’s not considered a big risk even if it has bitten before.

*DD’s injuries