DLG Settles Dog Bite Case for $80,000

SEATTLE, WA - DLG announces that it settled a dog bite case on behalf of a 45-year-old woman.  The case was fairly complex and presented an unusual fact pattern.  The victim, Anne Ramey,* was an employee of a local animal shelter.  In her spare time she performed temperament tests or evaluations of dogs.

The incident happened in March 2007.  Ms. Ramey was asked to evaluate a dog that was being  harbored in a Seattle dog kennel business.  The dog was a "foster dog" that was technically owned by the shelter where Ms. Ramey worked.  But the dog had been going to the kennel for a few years as a customer.  The dog was relinquished to the shelter when the owner moved out of state.  The kennel owner suggested that the dog stay with her, but that it had to be formally surrendered to the shelter for "liability purposes." 

The dog had already been put up for adoption when a volunteer with the shelter noticed that the animal acted aggressively on its leash.  Ms. Ramey was asked to give a second opinion.  While performing her temperament test, the dog attacked and viciously bit Ms. Ramey on the face.  The bite left a large 2-3 inch laceration near Ms. Ramey's eye.  She also suffered a broken nose.  She underwent surgery to repair the laceration and a second surgery to repair her broken nose.  The total medical bills were approximately $18,000. 

After DLG was hired several depositions were performed.  Investigation revealed that the dog kennel owner had knowledge that the dog had attacked and bitten a homeless man several months before Ms. Ramey's injury.  DLG founder Chris Davis also deposed a former employee at the dog kennel. He stated that the dog kennel owner was repeatedly informed by him that this dog was too dangerous to be around humans.  When he found out the kennel owner was going to place the dog in the adoption program, he terminated his employment.  The dog kennel admitted that she was aware of a prior incident involving the dog, but disputed that it rose to the level of a bite attack.

The insurance company and lawyers representing the dog kennel owner argued vigorously that Ms. Ramey was at fault for performing an aggressive temperament test.  They also argued that Ms. Ramey failed to gather enough information about the dog's prior history and take necessary precautions that would have prevented the attack.  The insurance company had hired a reputable dog handling expert from the state of Florida who was prepared to testify that Ms. Ramey bore much of the responsibility for the attack.

The case settled at mediation on Aug. 1, 2008 for the gross amount of $80,000.  The dog kennel owner's insurance company, Safeco, will pay the entire settlement amount.  Ms. Ramey was represented by Seattle attorney Chris Davis.  Mr. Davis has handled dozens of dog bite case over the last 15 years as a personal injury specialist.  Mr. Davis has also been recognized as a Super Lawyer in consecutive years by the legal publication Washington Law & Politics magazine.

*Names have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals involved.