9-year-old girl bitten on face, neck by friend’s dog

It only takes a few seconds for an attacking dog to maul or kill someone. For those who survive a vicious dog attack, the physical injuries are often less disabling than the emotional trauma suffered. Certainly the emotional trauma can last much longer, especially when the victim is a young child.

On the evening of Saturday, April 23, a mother and her 9-year-old daughter from Newport, Tennessee, were visiting a home in Del Rio. While at the residence, the young girl was bitten on the face and neck by the occupant’s dog.

The girl was taken to Knoxville’s University of Tennessee Medical Center, where she received much-needed medical treatment. The owner of the dog told a sheriff’s deputy that his children and grandchildren play with his dog frequently, and he has never seen the animal act in an aggressive manner.

While sheriff’s deputies report that the mother says her daughter is doing well, the extent of the injuries is not known. It was also not reported if animal control or the deputies took the animal into custody.

Tennessee is a strict liability state when it comes to injuries caused by a pet when the victim was in a public place or legally on private property. In other words, the owner is liable for the victim’s injuries and damages. Some states allow an owner and his or her dog “one free bite,” but not Tennessee.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a dog attack in Tennessee, you have a right to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, emotional trauma and more. An experienced attorney can help you pursue compensation through the homeowner’s insurance company or through a civil lawsuit against the owner.

Source: citizentribune.com, “Girl hospitalized after dog bite,” April 23, 2018