Three Injured in Pair of Dog Attacks
Four people were bitten by dogs after two separate dog attacks on the same day in South Bend, Indiana. Three people were sent to the hospital, including a young boy. Both of the dogs were killed after the attack: police were forced to shoot one dog at the scene, and the other was euthanized after the city Animal Control Center took it in.
The incident with the young boy occurred while the boy was playing in his front yard with a friend. The family's German shepherd mix escaped through the back fence and bit the boy. The dog bit the boy in the face and bit the owner on the arm.
Not long after, the same police who were called to the previous dog bite attack were called to another home after a dog attacked two adults. The dog was inside a fence but busted through as well. The pit-bull mix attacked two men. Police first tried to taze the dog, but when that didn't work, police were forced to shoot it to death.
In both situations, no one knows why the dogs turned violent, and nobody provoked either dog. The injured parties have not filed any legal claims thus far; however, police arrested the owner of the dog for disorderly conduct after the police killed his dog.
In terms of the arrested owner and his dog, state law generally governs whether or not a lawsuit can be filed for shooting a pet, which usually depends on the state's view of an animal as personal property. However, when dealing with liability for shooting a harmful or dangerous dog, gravity and imminence of the harm resulting from the pet are considered, as well as the circumstances for shooting, such as self-defense.
So if a pet has been shot, one must determine, while considering the surrounding circumstances, if an entity or individual can be held liable for shooting the pet. If nobody can be held liable, obviously there can be no lawsuit, such as the situation above.
In the foregoing case, the police officer would likely not be found liable in such situation. This is because government agencies and officials generally have immunity from liability for lawsuits filed against them for their actions when acting in their official capacity. However, in some situations such immunity is not necessarily absolute. Because the facts of each situation are different, liability may vary, making legal assistance necessary.
As an experienced Missouri dog attack attorney, I am happy to discuss your case with you and answer any questions you may have. If requested, I will immediately and aggressively take action in your defense.
The call and consultation are free. I can be reached 24 hours a day at 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). Call me personally and I will answer all the questions and concerns you may have. There is no fee unless we recover for you.
If you don't want to call or you can't call, you can email me at john@pagecagle.com. I look forward to speaking with you and helping you through these trying times. You can also visit www.dogbiteclaim.com for more information.
