What not to do when a dog attacks

Sunday's Northwest Herald carried a story about a shih tzu's being attacked by a boxer. The owner of the smaller dog did what most of us would automatically do - try to separate the dogs and protect her dog. Big mistake! The attack on Sunday, April 17, was reported to McHenry County Animal Control and the Sheriff's Department. (The photo is of the shih tzu breed, not the dog involved.)

The newspaper article didn't say whether Amanda Voight was issued a ticket for a loose dog or whether her boxer was licensed or innoculated for rabies. If she did get a ticket, she could pay it by mail or at Animal Control in Crystal Lake and avoid a date with a judge (and court costs). If she got a ticket and doesn't pay it, then the matter ends up in Circuit Court at the Government Center.

Joanne Erber's shih tzu expired on Friday, April 22, and racked up more than $10,000 in vet bills. Whew! Maybe she should have taken it to Centegra's ER! I can't help wondering whether a compassionate vet might have said something like, "You know, your little dog is seriously injured and isn't going to make it. The humane thing would be this other way..." Well, maybe the vet did say that.

Maybe I'm still reacting to a visit to a local vet's office not too many years ago for a rabies shot for a dog and finding out it was going to cost about $150 for a $15 shot, because they wanted to do all those other things on the checklist. The vets have been to all those fancy conferences and workshops and heard the "experts" talk about how to serve your customers.

If I take my dog to the vet and it's going to die because of whatever the problem is, then just tell me. I can love the dog, and I'm not going into bankruptcy to care for it.

If Amanda doesn't have renter's insurance with liability coverage to protect herself from Louie's bad manners around shih tzus, then Amanda's dad probably has liability insurance on his homeowner's policy. From the article, it was her dad who was home with Louie got out. The article didn't say what "got out" meant; got out of the yard? Got out of the house (like, escaped through an open door)?

The Northwest Herald printed a small sidebar about donations to Erber for her medical expenses. Those should all be paid by Voight's insurance.

If the Voights don't have insurance, then Ms. Erber needs a lawyer. No doubt, by now she has received 25-50 letters from lawyers offering to represent her. I say, "Pick a good one, and file your lawsuit for the loss of your dog, her bills, your bills and your pain and suffering." A lawyer probably won't take it on a contingency fee basis; the claim just won't be that big.

Reminder: this might be a good time to get out your own insurance policies and review your coverage with your agent.