This past week, the famous TV personality, Dr. Phil McGraw and his wife Robin, were sued for gross negligence after their dog viciously bit someone. I’m sure that many people in the South Florida and Fort Lauderdale area recognize Dr. Phil’s celebrity, so hopefully they can take his case as a cautionary tale. Janet Harris, a former friend of the couple, was bitten on the arm and hand by their dog, Maggie. The lawsuit alleges that the dog attacked Ms. Harris “with no warning or provocation causing profuse bleeding, deep puncture wounds, and cuts and abrasions on her arm and hand.”
Ms. Harris’ injuries as a result of the bite required her to have extended home care while she was on IV treatment, steroids, and antibiotics. The dog, Maggie, is a Korean Jindo, a rare breed type of spitz hunting dog. The dogs are known to be extremely protective of their families and are often indifferent or event sometimes violent towards strangers.
Ms. Harris’ lawsuit contends that the McGraws “were aware that Maggie had an unpredictable temperament, had a propensity to bite and has in fact previously bitten other persons and that the family cat, a pet rabbit and various skunks had been found dead on the premises after Maggie was acquired by the McGraws.”
Dog bites are an unfortunate reality that many people in Davie, Pembroke Pines, Sunrise, Plantation, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida must face. As close as we may feel towards our dogs, it is dog bite cases like this one that remind us of the need for caution.
The Fort Lauderdale Injury Lawyer has successfully dealt with numerous dog and animal bite and attack cases throughout the years. Fort Lauderdale and South Florida in general is a great place to have a dog. My family and I love taking our dog out to play in the sun, but hopefully Dr. Phil can serve as an example of the potential consequences of dogs biting people and the pain that those people will suffer.
