I've Got Bitten By A Dog

[velofanat]

Oh,my Lord. I've got bitten by a rottweiler. It hurts. What am I to do? Should I sue the owners. Actually, two dogs attacked me when I was peacefully riding by. Large rottweiler got into the rage.
Help with an advice, ladies.

[mikki]

Starting at the beginning...... Have you sought medical attention? Did you call the police, and file a report? How about the humane society? Take care of yourself....

[velofanat]

My hubby took me to our family doc. I've got stitches and the drainage tube in a deepest wound. I'll need to come back on Monday. A police is going to stop by and assumingly get an info. I have my tetanus and I think the dog is being taken to the vet also. It was stressful (as a short description). Still kind of criyng inside.

[Irulan]

well, if you are going to sue, you should have a very good reason, not just becuase you can. Personally, I think there are more productive things you can do - make sure animal control is involved, ( are there prior complaints?) and make sure their homeowner's insurance is involved. IANAL but you should get your medical covered by thier insurance, and some sort of settlement anyway. If the owners are uncooperative, then you might think about suing, but I'd look at all the options.

~Irulan

[Trek420]

I'm so sorry. (((hugs))) glad you're ok, coulda been much worse.

What everyone sez, seek medical attention.

You must report the dogs.

From there it depends on laws in your area and whether they are first time offenders. Here at minimum the dog will be quarantined. If the owner can be found, is a first time offender they quarantine the dog at home. Then follow up visits to test for temperment.

If they find the dog but no owner, to the pound they go.

You must find out if the dog is current on shots. So report it.

My dog was bitten by a Rottie while on a walk. Nothing against Rotts, they are sweet dogs. I just hate owners who let their dogs loose and owners with aggresive breeds who do not train them. hate it hate it, it's cruel to the dog. And when they get loose, form a pack with another dog, it's very bad.

In our case the Rottie was let out accidently, normaly fenced the owners were out and did not know that family staying with them forgot to lock the gate. Why the dog attacked Mae I do not know.

I felt Mae tried to draw the fight away from me, while I yelled and hit the Rottie with a leather jacket I happened to be wearing she kept the action moving away and she fought off the much bigger dog. The Rottie ran away.

Good dog Mae.

But she got bit. And it set us back in the "socializing to other dogs" work. Since the Rottie was a first time offender, had shots and ok temperment normally, they recorded her as a vicious animal and scolded the owner. They know if she gets out again and bites it's curtains for that dog.

[madisongrrl]

www.dogbitelaw.com

This is one of the most helpful resources around. Behaviorists and trainers hold this site in high regard.

[Trekhawk]

Oh,my Lord. I've got bitten by a rottweiler. It hurts. What am I to do? Should I sue the owners. Actually, two dogs attacked me when I was peacefully riding by. Large rottweiler got into the rage.
Help with an advice, ladies.

Oh, my lord is right. You poor thing take plenty of time to rest because something like this can be a real shock to the system.

Sending lots of healing and soothing vibes your way.

[Selkie]

Your local animal control is the place to go. Trek is right---you must report this. I, too, was bitten by a dog who attacked my golden retriever while we were walking in the neighborhood. The owner, who never apologized to me, told me that the dog had a history of attacking other dogs but he never bit a person before. Lucky me. I went to an attorney, intending to sue, but Virginia has a "first bite free" law and my total medical costs, on which any award would have been based, weren't enough to make it worth my time. I am pretty sure my health insurance company went after the owner to recoup my med bills.

I landed in the ER after my bite. The doc would not stitch my wounds, one of which was very bad because it could seal in infection (sounds like you'll be OK since you have the drainage tube). I was also on strong antibiotics for about a week as a precaution. Took 6 weeks to heal. I now have a couple of scars on my calf.

Good luck. A dog bite certainly hurts. Keep an eye out for any possible infection and I hope you're all better soon.

[latelatebloomer]

((((bear hug))))Velofanat, how absolutely horrid! Please take the very best care of yourself, inside and out. There's a homeopathic remedy that helps when someone has had physical or emotional trauma called "Rescue Remedy" which you may find soothing. There's a number of us on TE who practice Reiki and other forms of healing, so think of all the GOOD energy that is flowing your way.

[wabisabi]

Speaking legally, definitely try first to work out a settlement for your costs, medical and any bike repair, and some extra for your pain and suffering

[RoadRaven]

In NZ the dog would have been taken by the authorities and "put down" as soon as the authorities found out... well almost... no tolerance here for dogs who bite, even those which have been provoked.

Wishing you a speedy recovery, its quite a shock to the system to be attacked in such a way... plus I guess, there is all the subliminal stuff we get via TV, movie and magazines about breeds like rottweilers.

Trusting this dog, who sounds like a pooorly trained, out-of-control dog is dispatched quickly and painlessly.

Sending you healing thoughts and positive energy (((hugs)))

[RoadRaven]

Oh, btw, forgot to say, we can't sue here in NZ, but the court may award damages... we have ACC here to avoid out-of-control sueing here...

[Irulan]

Speaking legally, definitely try first to work out a settlement for your costs, medical and any bike repair, and some extra for your pain and suffering

as I understand it, most settlements are determined by some insurance company formula, unless you go to court.

That dog bite website looked like the best resource, IMO.

~i.

[latelatebloomer]

I don't think we've heard from you for a bit, how are you and how are you mending? Hope all is ok....