A 14-year-old girl who was bitten on the face by a Rottweiler has been awarded compensation for her injuries.
Louise Macdonald was playing with a friend at her grandmother's house when the attack occurred. Her grandmother was in the garden with her dog, a Rottweiler called Keizer. The woman then went into the house, telling Louise to look after the dog.
Her friend had hold of the dog and Louise knelt in front of it, stroking its head. Suddenly the dog struck out, biting Louise in the face and eye. Louise required 10 stitches and is scarred for life.
Louise’s parents brought her claim against the girl’s grandparents, arguing that the dog was known to be aggressive and should at least have been muzzled to protect others from danger. They won an undisclosed amount in compensation.
People who own dogs that are potentially dangerous need to consider the consequences of failing to take steps to ensure that other people are not at risk. Recently published NHS statistics show that the number of people requiring treatment for dog bites has risen by 43 per cent to nearly 3,800 a year.
If you have been injured as a result of a dog owner’s failure to control their animal, you could be entitled to compensation. Contact us for advice.