San Antonio parents know that by virtue of physical size, children are less able than adults to defend themselves. So, while an animal attack is a dangerous and frightening occurrence for anyone to endure, for a child it can be especially traumatizing. A recent event in Porter, Texas, illustrates how a case of irresponsible pet ownership can lead to a child being the innocent victim of a dog bite.
While waiting at a school bus stop in January, a 7-year-old boy was attacked by an unattended dog. As a result, the dog inflicted nine puncture wounds on the boy’s body. The boy later received 20 stitches for his injuries.
Reportedly, Montgomery County Animal Control determined the identity of the dog’s owner and attempted to serve him court papers for a hearing regarding the incident. After five attempts, the owner was never found.
At the hearing, the judge declared the dog dangerous and ordered the animal destroyed. The boy’s parents are still seeking accountability from the owner.
Parents have a reasonable expectation that their children can be safe from certain harms in their own neighborhoods. Whether waiting for a school bus or playing in a park, no child should be subjected to an attack by a stray dog. When an attack happens, the dog’s owner may be held liable. If said owner attempts to dodge his or her responsibilities, then strong measures of legal recourse may be required.
A dog attack can inflict great physical and emotional trauma upon a victim. This is especially true if the victim is a defenseless child. If your child or anyone in your family has suffered such an attack, it may be a good idea to meet with someone with the legal experience to handle such situations.
Source: khou.com, “Father says bus driver didn’t call for help after dog attacked 7-year-old son,” Drew Karedes, Feb. 13, 2014