Last Friday, two Rottweilers attacked a Columbia woman as she worked in her backyard. According to the owner, the dogs had gotten loose in the past, but had never shown any aggression or signs of violence before. The Columbia woman ended up being mauled to death, and the dogs injured their owner before he could get them back under control again.
Most dogs that turn ferocious show advance warning in their behavior. The owner insists that was not the case with these dogs, but another neighbor in the area told reporters that she believes these same two Rottweilers were responsible for killing her own dog earlier in the week. Though she cannot prove that a dog bite was the cause, this raises the question of negligence. If the owner was aware that his dogs slipped their leash from time to time, was he paying enough attention to what they did while loose?
Since the attack, both Rottweilers and a puppy owned by the neighbor have been taken into custody. Authorities are currently trying to decide whether they should be adopted or euthanized. The owner has not been charged with any crime.
Though dogs may seem friendly and loving most of the time, like all animals, they are unpredictable. Dog owners need to exercise extra caution in keeping their pets controlled and contained, especially when they are a breed that is known for sudden bouts of vicious behavior. Failing to keep an eye on your pets can all too easily result in someone’s serious injury or death.
If you, or someone you know has been injured or killed by a dog bite in South Carolina, you may be entitled to compensation. Please contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at McWhirter, Bellinger & Associates, P.A. to schedule your free case evaluation.
