Legal Question in Personal Injury in New York

Dog Attack

Two weeks ago, a girl was walking by with her yorkie in her hand and my pitbull ran out of the door and went after the yorkshire terrior. We managed to pry our dog off the other dog but only after he bit the dog in the leg. The girl holding the dog also suffered a cut to her chin when she ran accross the street to get away from our dog and tripped. The owners of the other dog sent us two bills. One for the emergency visit and one for two days later because the dog was not going to the bathroom. I paid the bill for the emergency room visit but my vet said the charges on the second bill were unrelated to the attack. Since i did not pay the second bill yet, can the other owners come back and take me to court. Do they have a case. Also can the girl who received the cut to her chin take me to court for her medical bills even though she didnt fall because of the dog. She actually tripped on the sideway as she ran across the street. Am i liable for the girls bills and well as the dogs second bill. What can i do?


Asked on 7/19/04, 11:57 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

Robert R. Groezinger GroezingerLaw P.C.

Re: Dog Attack

Yes -- a staffordshire terrier (pit bull) is an "inherently dangerous dog" for which the "one bite before" rule does not apply. If you get sued, immediately notify your insuracne company and/or broker. It should be covered under your homwowner's policy. If you are a tenant. Call me to discuss this.

Good Luck

RRG

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Answered on 7/19/04, 12:08 pm
Peter J. Kelley Peter J. Kelley & Associates

Re: Dog Attack

As you can see from the news, people can and do sue for all sorts of reasons. If a suit is filed, the girl would have to prove a connection between the dog's urinary problem and the attack, and between the girl's injury and the attack. To the extent that you can discuss your issues with the girl or her family without anger erupting, you will be way ahead of the game. Do you have homeowner's (or tenant's) insurance? If not, and if you would like to go into more detail about this, please give us a call for an appointment.

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Answered on 7/19/04, 4:18 pm


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