Dog Bites

Taylor Becker, 4, was killed Wednesday after a dog got free and attacked her in the backyard of a family friend’s home.

According to authorities, the dog, a boxer, was tied to a pole on a leash and chain. The dog somehow managed to free itself from its collar and attack the little girl while she was playing in the backyard.

Taylor Becker was taken to a local hospital where she died early Wednesday afternoon.

Authorities say they have no information indicating the animal had a history of violence. Authorities also say it’s too early to determine if any charges would be filed.

The following is an article from the Marshfield News Herald…

A 5-year-old Spencer girl suffered severe injuries to her legs and arms when she was mauled Tuesday night by a dog in Marshfield.

The girl was listed in fair condition at Ministry Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield Wednesday evening following the attack by a Rottweiler-pit bull mixed-breed dog. The mauling happened at about 10 p.m. on the front lawn at 512 W. Fifth St., where the dog lived.

Marshfield police shot the dog twice, killing it, as it was attacking the girl, Police Chief Gary Jepsen said.

The child’s father, a 33-year-old Spencer man, and the woman caring for the dog, a 21-year-old Marshfield woman also residing at 512 W. Fifth St., were treated for wounds that night and released.

The dog’s remains were sent to a lab in Madison for tests and the incident continues to be investigated, Jepsen said Wednesday.

“The dog was fixated on the girl. We don’t know why,” he said.

The father and child were visiting at the home when the attack occurred.

When the first officer arrived on the scene, he found the 5-year-old girl near the side of the road with numerous wounds to her arms and legs.

The dog, described as a large Rottweiler-pit bull mix, was clearly agitated and began attacking the young girl again. The officer jumped on top of the dog in an attempt to free the girl, Jepsen said.

A second officer arrived within moments and was going to stop the dog using his sidearm but could not because the child and other officer were so close to the animal, Jepsen said.

Moments later, the dog was pulled off the child but it broke free from the grip of the officer and attacked her again. An officer used his Taser, which caused the dog to pause its attack. When the dog still refused to let go of the girl, a third officer shot it with his .40-caliber pistol, Jepsen said.

The dog briefly released the child but soon resumed the attack and the officer fired a second shot, killing the animal, Jepsen said.

The Fifth Street neighborhood is better off without Rottweiler or pit bull dogs, said Mark Staab of Marshfield, who was visiting his daughter’s home Wednesday afternoon, across the street from where the attack happened.

“All these homes around here have children. My daughter has a little son. Them dogs aren’t user friendly. It’s born into them,” Staab said.

“Marshfield should take a good look at this. There’s enough other nice little dogs you can have,” he said.

An ordinance regulating specific dog breeds may be brought up before the city’s Judiciary, Licensing and Cemetery Committee, said City Council member Ed Wagner, committee chairman.

“This is going to fuel the fears about this particular type of breed,” Wagner said.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld a Court of Appeals ruling that a homeowner who allows  an animal to stay at his or her home can be held legally responsible for any injuries suffered during an attack despite not being the owner of the animal.

The ruling stem’s from an October 2003 incident when Nancy Seefeldt allowed Walter Waterman and his two dogs to move in to her home. One day Waterman let the dogs out so they could come with him to the store. One of the dogs ran across the street and bit Colleen Pawlowski several times causing puncture wounds and soft tissue damage.

The Supreme Court agreed that Nancy Seefeldt was the “keeper” of the dogs and can be held legally responsible for the injuries suffered by Pawlowski.

Pitman, Kyle & Sicula is a Wisconsin personal injury law firm handling cases through out the state.  Our personal injury lawyers have successfully represented injured people in almost every county. We know Wisconsin.

A 68-year-old Chippewa Falls woman was attacked by four dogs Friday afternoon near her home in Chippewa Falls.

Kathleen Benish was walking down a town road when four dogs attacked her and dragged her into a ditch. A Chippewa County Sheriff’s report said Benish was seriously injured and required surgery.

The medical reports said she was admitted to Luther Hospital with wounds over her entire body. Local authorities said Benish received multiple bites and torn skin as the dogs knocked her down, dragged her into a ditch and dragged her in the snow before the dogs’ owner stopped the attack.

The dogs were a Labrador and German shepherd mix weighing between 60 and 80 lbs.

This is a good time to review Wisconsin’s dog bite law.   I’ve linked to and posted Wisconsin’s Dog Bite Law (Sec. 174 Wis. Stats.)

When a dog causes injury to a person for the first time (”without notice”):

“the owner of a dog is liable for the full amount of damages caused by the dog injuring or causing injury to a person, domestic animal or property.”

When a dog owner knows that a dog has caused injury in the past and the dog causes injury again (”after notice”):

“the owner of a dog is liable for 2 times the full amount of damages caused by the dog injuring or causing injury to a person, domestic animal or property if the owner was notified or knew that the dog previously injured or caused injury to a person, domestic animal or property.”

If you have questions about the Dog Bite Law in Wisconsin feel free to contact me at 800-950-9882.  I’d be happy to discuss your situation.

-Attorney Jonathan Groth

Pitman, Kyle & Sicula is a Wisconsin personal injury law firm handling cases through out the state.  Our personal injury lawyers have successfully represented injured people in almost every county. We know Wisconsin.

A new report discusses how insurance companies make their money.  This shouldn’t be a surprise.  They take in as much as they can in premiums and pay out as little as possible in claims.

Insurance companies are supposed to act in good faith with their insured and on behalf of their insured when dealing with someone their insured injures.  Arbitrary denials and low offers for no reason are not good faith.

Read the report.  You’ll get a feel for what personal injury attorneys deal with day in, day out.  You’ll understand why Allstate, Farmers, Progressive, et al., get on our nerves.

-Attorney Jonathan Groth

Sauk County discusses the law that mandates that any owner of a dog or cat must quarantine their animal if it attacks. 

In short, if your dog or cat bites someone it is Wisconsin law that the animal be quarantined so it can be observed for rabies.  Obviously, you should call the police first and then work with them and your veterinarian to make sure the animal that attacked is up to date on all vaccines.

Remember, the owner of the animal is responsible for the costs of the quarantine.  So, be sure to read your insurance policy to see if this will be covered under your home owner’s insurance policy.

-Attorney Jonathan P. Groth

Pitman, Kyle & Sicula is a Wisconsin personal injury law firm handling cases through out the state.  Our personal injury lawyers have successfully represented injured people in almost every county. We know Wisconsin.

The period of time it takes to settle depends upon the nature of the accident and the extent of your injuries. We will attempt to settle your case after you have completed medical treatment, medical opinions are final and we know the extent of all of your damages. Once the claim is submitted to the insurance company for settlement, it usually takes the insurance company about thirty (30) days to contact us with its response.

If the insurance company denies liability or damages, a lawsuit may be necessary. Obviously, if a lawsuit is filed, it will extend the period of time before any resolution. You should remain patient and firm in your pursuit of full compensation for your damages. 

Nursing home abuse and neglect cases are a bit different.  Here’s a look at how we handle nursing home cases.

Pitman, Kyle & Sicula is a Wisconsin personal injury law firm handling cases through out the state. Our personal injury lawyers have successfully represented injured people in almost every county. We know Wisconsin.