For many families in Maryland and across the country, pets are often looked upon as if they were family members. While most pet owners would likely agree that there are a variety of different benefits to having pets, the potential harm that a pet could cause cannot be overlooked. Unfortunately, a teenager in another state recently passed away from injuries she suffered in a dog attack.
The incident that led to the 19-year-old woman’s death reportedly happened in the afternoon of a day in late August. According to a witness at the scene, the victim visited her house the night before and was returning to retrieve an item that she had forgotten. The witness claims that she heard the victim yelling for help, ran outside and saw her being attacked by five dogs.
The dogs were reportedly mauling her as they dragged her toward the woods; the young victim was ultimately able to escape them by climbing over a fence. Police say that when they arrived at the scene, the woman’s clothing had been ripped off and her hair was matted with blood. She was transported to the hospital but died over a week after the incident. Police officers reportedly shot one of the dogs at the scene; the other four were later euthanized.
The owner of the dogs, who reportedly arrived at the scene after the attack, stated that the dogs were family pets that were contained by an invisible fence. Unfortunately, a family is now left to mourn the unexpected and preventable death of their loved one. Many families who have been in a similar situation in Maryland have found that the funeral expenses and medical costs associated with such a loss can quickly become overwhelming in a time already filled with grief. As a result of the dog attack, they may choose to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the dogs’ owners. If it can be proved that negligence led to the young woman’s death, the family could receive a monetary award that could potentially help them ensure that their financial responsibilities are met as they struggle to move forward from the tragedy.
