[PyrNet-L] Need an opinion

[MagEBroD@aol.com]

In a message dated 11/8/98 7:51:44 AM Pacific Standard Time, pribb@feist.com
writes:

<< He said he was petting Bailey as he always
 does when we go there, and suddenly she "lunged" at his face, and her teeth
 hit his teeth, causing the chip and the injury (fat lip also).  He was VERY
 upset about this -- not at the dog.  He LOVES animals, and we have four
 dogs of our own, and he is extremely gentle with them.  He seemed upset
 just because he couldn't understand why she did it.  >>

   PLEASE REPORT THIS!!! Seek medical help including dental care immediately
and report how it happened and where and when and describe the dog and provide
owners name and address and phone number!!! They will need to check for rabies
shots. Also report to the Animal Control Dept. too, even if the Dr., hospital
or dentist say they will take care of it!!! The hospital I went to said this
and they did call the owners, but days later the animal control dept said they
had still not heard from the hospital. I sent them out to get the necessary
paperwork regarding rabies shots proof. Hospital had just got over-the-phone
verification from owners and who knows if what they said was true. (They also
claimed their dog had not bit me when the man had to pry the dog's jaws open
to get it to let go of my foot!!) Also demand their homeowners insurance info.
And call the insurance company and tell them what happened and what care you
are seeking. Take photos!!!! Turn in copies of all bills for dental care,
hospital, DR., medicines both from pharmacy by prescription and over-the-
counter med's and bandages, or cold packs, too. Do not close the case too
soon. They may give you a check, but make sure you can still seek further care
if needed. I chose to wait until the wound quit bleeding and oozing which took
3 months!!! One year and 8 months later I still am scarred and circulation is
not the same and have pain. I may not do anything about it, but it's nice to
know I can if I choose to. (I'm not sure the surgery and recuperation time
would outweigh the benefits of further surgery, but I need to make up my mind
soon before time runs out.) I wasn't worried about any extra money myself for
pain or suffering or scarring, as it was on my foot and you only see it with
low cut shoes and at my age I am not that vain (If someone wants to base some
opinion of me on a scar on my foot then they are not someone I care to be
close friends with anyway!!) I did get a check for every cent I spent on my
care of my foot plus the cost of my shoes. The insurance company was so
thrilled that I wasn't after big bucks that they didn't even want the bills
and receipts at all before they cut me the check!! I kept the receipts for my
own records, though. I'd feel different if it was my child's face involved in
the bite, though, as they are so much more vulnerable and care more what
people think and kids can be cruel sometimes and they may get their feelings
hurt more if there is much scarring.  However I get the feeling you are not
really worried that it is bad enough to scar much.
   This may sound extreme, but I think it is important that every bite be
reported!! Otherwise all the statistics we read mean nothing! And if my dog
bit someone I would definitely want to know!!! Plus the next time this dog
bites someone they will say "But he's never bitten anyone before!" And maybe
the next bite might be worse. I just think that the facts should be known. 
   I do not believe that people should get rich off every dog bite, however,
either!!  But I believe people should be responsible for their pets and that
if their dogs do damage then the owner should be responsible for that damage. 
Janice Vocke
MagEBroD@aol.com
Shelton, WA.