DD got attacked by a Rottweiler

[Mellie2162]

Today during an egg hunt in my parents yard . DD14 was helping my 2 year old nephew find eggs. He found one and ran up onto the deck, she turned around and the dog jumped on top of her and bit her arm. We called the police and had they talked to the owners who say they've had it vaccinated, however, they can't produce paperwork so the dog is quarantined right now. We took her to the ER and they cleaned out the wounds and put her on an antibiotic. So, Im wondering this. I expect the owners to pay for my ER copay, but do I just take them the bill and reciept where I paid or do I send it to them with a letter? They told my dad they are getting rid of the dog after the quarantine is finished. ugh. Im so grateful the dog didn't get my little nephew or niece.

 

[KMZOB]

I'm so sorry for your DD. I don't know what you should do about the bill, just wanted to send *hugs*.

 

[The Orchid]

OMG, that is awful. I'm so sorry that happened. I know how you feel. My daughter (now 17) was bitten by a Pit Bull when she was 14. She went to the mail box and the dog rushed and bit her leg several times right down to the bone. She came in limping with blood all over her legs and I about passed out. She too had to be on antibiotics. She had to go through three rounds to get them to clear up the infection. She has several scars on her leg and she says one puncture still hurts her to this day. The dog had chipped the bone.

Anyway, as for the bill, yes, by all means take the bill to the dog's owner. He is responsible! If he is a half-way decent person he'll be very happy to pay. If he's smart, he'll be grateful to pay a small medical bill becuase he could easily be sued for this.

I hope your daughter heals quickly and isn't traumatized by this event. It really sucks this happened on Easter.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

OMG, how awful... I'm glad your daughter is 'okay', and unfortunately, glad she as there to take the brunt from your 2 yr old nephew...it could have been so much worse!
I would definitely go to them with your bill. It's up to them to take care of that.

 

[disneydreamertoo]

Thank God that your daughter is home safe and sound! It could have been so much worst! I would definitely give the owners the bill but if they didn't find it in their hearts to pay I would still thank God that I had my child and that of course is priceless! At least they have the sense to put the dog down before it hurts someone else. I would gladly pay any bill and be thankful and grateful to put the incident behind me!

 

[MelanieC]

OMG, I'm so sorry. My son got bit on his face by a dog at a friends birthday party. He still has a scar on his face (he is 11 now) and it still makes me sad when I see it. It's not real bad, but still - he will live the rest of his life with a scar on his right cheek.

I hope your daughter is doing well and it doesn't scar her or scare her of dogs for life.

 

[Mellie2162]

Thank you everyone. Let me just say I am VERY thankful that it was not a horrible attack. Thankfully she was able to get up and run away (she was close to the door) or it could have been worse. And yes we are all so thankful she took the brunt of it because she's a big girl and my nephew is teeny tiny. It would have hurt him badly. She's fine now she just is super scared of dogs right now and her arm is sore. Hopefully she won't have any scars but even if she does they will be minimal. I don't think they are going to put the dog down but they are going to get rid of it.

 

[kellydizfan]

My now DD15 was bit at 15 months - Easter night of all nights by my brother-in-law's cocker spaniel in the face. She has several scars on her cheek - thank god the dog missed her eyes or it could have been alot worse. She doesn't seem to be bothered by it at all and they are very noticible as people she meets do ask what happened. She doesn't remember it for which I am grateful but that memory will live with us forever. Dog bits are the worse regardless of age and were bit. I would have them turn the bill into their home insurance if they will not pay it or find out who the agent is and report it to them directly. Good Luck - they are responsible for paying the bills, etc.

 

[MushyMushy]

I'm sorry about your DD. I would be furious if that happened to my daughter.

The only dogs I've ever been bit by were little ones and THAT hurt bad enough. I can't even imagine getting bit by one as big as a rottie.

 

[CajunDixie]

Today during an egg hunt in my parents yard . DD14 was helping my 2 year old nephew find eggs. He found one and ran up onto the deck, she turned around and the dog jumped on top of her and bit her arm. We called the police and had they talked to the owners who say they've had it vaccinated, however, they can't produce paperwork so the dog is quarantined right now. We took her to the ER and they cleaned out the wounds and put her on an antibiotic. So, Im wondering this. I expect the owners to pay for my ER copay, but do I just take them the bill and reciept where I paid or do I send it to them with a letter? They told my dad they are getting rid of the dog after the quarantine is finished. ugh. Im so grateful the dog didn't get my little nephew or niece.

Don't do anything yet!!!! When the hospital files your claim they have to state an "accident" occured. Usually around here what happens is the insurance company will contact you to ask how the accident occurred and could anyone else be responsible. When you tell them what happened they'll expect the dog owners to pay any and all bills. I'm not "sue happy" but you may need to hire an attorney if the dog owners hesitate at all paying ALL the bills. The owners could be held responsible for all current and future bills for the incident. You need to talk to your insurance company and possibly an attorney before you contact the dog owners.

 

[PrincessKitty1]

DH was bitten by a boxer last year and a representative for the owner's homeowner's insurance offered DH $1500 (I posted a thread about it and we decided not to take the $$). The homeowner's insurance payed DH's doctor bills. I wouldn't go after the owner's homeowner's insurance unless the dog's owners absolutely refused to pay the bill. I would send them the bill by registered mail

I agree with a poster who said your health insurance company might have some questions (I know my health insurance company would not pay for a neck xray and MD visit I had after an auto accident because "the auto insurance has to pay for it") so make sure your insurance company will pay before you let the dog owners off the hook.

I am SO sorry your daughter was bitten and so glad that your nephew was not hurt at all!! Dog bites are so very scary, and the what-ifs are even scarier.

 

[Mellie2162]

Don't do anything yet!!!! When the hospital files your claim they have to state an "accident" occured. Usually around here what happens is the insurance company will contact you to ask how the accident occurred and could anyone else be responsible. When you tell them what happened they'll expect the dog owners to pay any and all bills. I'm not "sue happy" but you may need to hire an attorney if the dog owners hesitate at all paying ALL the bills. The owners could be held responsible for all current and future bills for the incident. You need to talk to your insurance company and possibly an attorney before you contact the dog owners.

Oh wow I just assumed my insurance would pay for it. Crap. I figured I would ask them to pay my copay and any other doctor copays she might have. I figured I would wait until she's completed healed to make sure it doesn't get infected and have more visits. They seemed sorry it happened, but as far as paying I don't know. We really don't know them all that well. They did come over to apologize a couple of times, but I really don't know them nor does my father. So then really I should just wait until my insurance company is billed to see if they pay. I mean im just relieved shes not more hurt than what she is and if we have to end up paying it then its a small price compared to what could have happened so I dont care. I just keep thinking about what if he got hold of little Ry, omg he would have torn his flesh off.

 

[agnes!]

OP -

Lawyer up. *Seriously*. Now this is not to say that you should sue the pants off these people, but this is to make sure your DD is taken care of. Yeah, maybe everything looks ok now, but what will you do if in 6 months or a year she develops secondary complications of some kind, maybe a MRSA infection or perhaps PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)? What if she needs some psychiatric counseling or plastic surgery down the road? My main point is that you do *not* want to give away your DD's future rights to good health.

What also concerns me is that these people are giving the dog away. Will they tell the new owners about this unprovoked attack?

And thank God the dog didn't go after the smaller target. When I was bitten by a dog I was GRATEFUL I got bitten rather than any of the children who were with me.

agnes!

 

[CajunDixie]

I do billing and I know I've had some insurance companies send me a letter that states my claim is under review pending a conversation with the patient as to how the injury occurred. Sometimes I get paid and sometimes I end up getting record requests from an attorney.

On a side note depending how deep the bite is, she may "feel" it for years. I know DH still feels his one bite when the weather changes. Of course with DH we can now laugh as one of his bites was right below his butt cheek so we sometimes ask how he knows the weather is changing just to hear him say his *** told him so. And it may take her years to not be afraid of this particular breed of dog. We have had labradors and boxers but I know we'll never have a German Shepherd.

 

[61292cna]

So glad your daughter is back home.

 

[ireland_nicole]

I would also speak to whomever is quarantining the dog; in many states if a dog attacks, it must be put down. This dog is not safe aroung anyone else eighther, unfortunately. It was a completely unprovoked attack. If there is no specific law, I would still speak to the authorities and let them know the owners intentions.

 

[Mad4Mickey]

I am so sorry that this happened to your DD. My own DS was bitten in the face really bad when he was 4 and we had a plastic surgeon repair the damage right then and there . It was a really , with that being said he is 20 and still lives at home and he has 130lb Rottie who is a gentle giant . You would think with what happened to him he would not want a big dog around at all . But he is a little leary of dogs that he does not know and are roaming . But shoot so am I .

You are both in my thoughts .

 

[Mellie2162]

Thanks for all your well wishes. DD is fine today. She actually didn't get a bad bite but was more shaken up than anything.

A little update: I spoke with the health department this morning and they said the owners were on their way in to sign quarantine papers. They have the dog in a dog run on their property locked up and have to keep it there for 10 days. Of course, it's not up to date on its vaccines. So now we have to wait for 10 days to see if the dog shows signs of rabies or not. Lovely. After 10 days they have to abide by the town laws of keeping it leashed and if they let it loose then we have to call the humane society. They said they were getting rid of it and I believe they will.

 

[TheZue]

That is scary!