Late on the afternoon of Friday, November 20th, a large dog broke free of its harness and attacked three people on the 900 block of West 21st and West Erie, only to be shot and killed by Erie police. The dog had been walking in the company of a friend of the owner, Alex Schmude. The incident happened so quickly that the dog was able to injure three people before the attacks were stopped.

The owner of the dog expressed surprise calling the pet a great dog and saying that the actions were very out of the ordinary. Many cities and towns restrict ownership of certain breeds and owners should take critical steps to avoid being charged with negligence.

How to Minimize the Chances of a Dog Bite Attack in Erie

These steps might include muzzling the animal, spraying or neutering the animal, avoiding contact with children and not taking the animal into untested areas or situations. Basically, don’t put the dog in a bad situation where it can react undesirably. If you or your child has been injured as a result of a dog bite, it may take years for the injury to heal. In addition to the physical implications of being hurt in an accident like this, a child may suffer traumatically by not feeling comfortable around animals for many years.

Helping a Child Victim of an Erie Dog Bite Attack

As a parent, it may be difficult for you to watch this unfold and to figure out how to best help your child. Hiring an experienced Erie personal injury attorney to help you with your dog bite claim could be a critical next step. In the event of an incident you should speak only initially to law enforcement.

What to Do After a Dog Bite Incident 

Do not accept or apply blame in talking with a victim of a dog bite and do not suggest that you wish to handle the issue privately. Consulting with authorities and a dog bite attorney is in fact the best thing you can do to handle a difficult situation like this one. Emotions can run high in the immediate moments after a dog bite attack, but do your best to remain calm and keep the situation from escalating any further. Your primary concern should be to get medical attention sooner rather than later.

When you or someone you love becomes a victim, make sure to collect relevant evidence related to the incident. This might include medical records, witness testimony, or even torn clothing from the experience. If you decide to go forward with a personal injury claim, these details could prove important for your case. Get your free confidential case evaluation to discuss your rights to compensation after being bitten by a dog.