Q: Should I expect to get reimbursed at least for medical bills at Urgent Care facility for dog bite - $175.00?
I'm riding my bicycle through my neighborhood (on the street) last night, and I come up on a lady with 2 German Shepherds loose in her yard with her. I hear her say "oh no", and the dogs start growling/barking, and then they attack me. As she's yelling "they don't bite", one of them gets me good on my right calf, and then they both ran back toward her. I'm shaken at this point, and pedal off as fast as I could, rather that confront her then, and obviously risk getting bitten again. Called Animal Control as soon as I got home, and they came out and got my story, and then went to see the lady. Animal Control later advised me they cited the lady for not having the dogs on a leash, and will quarantine the dogs for 10 days for evaluation. This lady was not at all apologetic at the scene, and has not since offered any reimbursement for my medical expenses. Do I have any legal recourse? The potential for rabies and the concerns there would be another issue.
A: Yes, you should be able to receive reimbursement for the medical bills you incurred. You can also receive compensation from the dog owner for the injuries you suffered. You need to show that the German Shepherds were pet dogs, and the owner did not confine them. Vicious dogs like German Shepherds should be confined, but the owner did not confine them.
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