Woman Bites Dog In Self Defense May End In Personal Injury Suit

Dogs are popularly known as man’s best friend. This is often true, but as with other members of the animal kingdom, one dog’s personality can be vastly different from another’s. There are laws that promote responsible pet ownership, and failure to abide by them can put the dog and the owner at risk in Maryland. One of the biggest risks is that if a dog is not under the control of its owner it may bite or attack someone. Animal bites can be very dangerous and can result in a personal injury suit.

In a recent case in Langley Park a woman was attacked by a pit bull as she was taking out her trash. There were two unrestrained pit bulls in the vicinity, and one of them attacked her. She put her arm in front of her face for protection. As the dog bit her arm, she bit the dog in return. She then fainted and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Owning a pit bull is banned in Prince George’s County. Violators of the ban face up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine. There have been other recent pit bull attacks in the Maryland and D.C. areas. Two women, one from D.C. and one from Maryland, recently died as a result of pit bull attacks.

Dog bites can cause significant physical and mental damage. A person who experiences the physical trauma of a serious dog attack can suffer from mental trauma for years in Maryland. While there is nothing that can fully erase the affect of an attack, a personal injury suit against the party deemed responsible can provide compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.