Boy, 6, Mauled by Dog While Shielding Brother
Call it instinct or brotherly love, but whatever drove 6-year-old Timo Perez of Homstead, Florida to protect his little brother from a vicious dog attack is saving the dog's owner a lot of trouble.
And may have just saved the 4-year-old's life.
Late last week, Timo Perez and his younger brother Carlos, along with a neighborhood friend, were playing in their backyard when a dog escaped from a fenced-in yard across the street.
The dog, of German Shepherd descent, had dug a hole under the fence.
Little Timo took charge of the situation, hiding his brother and friend under a nearby truck while shielding them with his body, reports the Daily News.
He received multiple bites to the head and shoulders before his father hit the dog with a shovel, which the Daily Mail reports caused the dog to retreat. The two younger boys were unscathed.
Timo Perez is expected to make a full recovery, but the dog's owner has been cited and the dog has been put to sleep.
The fact is that, regardless of breed, all dogs are capable of disliking humans and acting in a vicious manner. And in almost every state, dog bite law assigns liability to owners for any injuries that their unfriendly dog may cause.
This is especially true when a dog attacks even when unprovoked, as it did here.
Legal liability isn't the only reason dog owners should be aware of their dog's personality--animal control will euthanize dogs that are deemed dangerous. And no one wants to lose their pet.
To avoid dog bite liability, be sure to properly train your dog and keep him securely fenced-in or on a leash at all times.
Related Resources:
- 6-year-old speaks about dog attack (WSVN)
- Animal Bites: Who Pays Damages? (FindLaw)
- Dog/Animal Bites - Resources (FindLaw)
- Top 5 Dog Bite Prevention Tips for Owners, Parents, and Kids (FindLaw's Injured)