Who was the vet? I am buddy's with Dr. Keese there...

I'd sue that idiot for vet bills.

Call the BPD and tell them you want to make a full report NOW!  I thought they were supposed to come out when a human was bitten! hells bells and panther tracks! Do you know if these pits are chained up? Can you go see if they have access to water, shade, food? I got BPD to come out when a neighbors pit was chained up, got tangled in the chain and could not get to water or shade in the middle of summer.  I would also look into reimbursement from the owner for the vet bill - small claims court or full out sue him.  I do feel sorry for the dogs as they, for all intense and purposes, are victims too. I can assure you that as puppies they were not mean but have been made that way by a human being. Sad but true.  I had other neighbors who had 2 pits who were so lovable and sweet, but that was because the neighbors were kind and loving to the dogs.  I had a Rottie for 13 years who was just a 100lb lap dog and would drown you with kisses. On different occasions, she became "mommy" to kittens and a puppy we brought home from the SPCA. It's all in the rasing! Just like kids :-)

As I have blogged before, I told Animal Control is they did not secure the pits that killed my cat AND charged at me I would take care of it for them with my .45.

SPAM CODE:  NAUGT

Make sure you follow through with the police and animal control. The pit bull owners probably think you'll forget the whole thing given enough time.

Don't do it.

Next time, these vicious animals could attack a human being, maybe someone's child. I made the mistake of giving my repentant neighbor a chance when his put bull broke through the fence and tried to attack me. Weeks later, the dog tried to attack my wife. Luckily, no one was hurt, but we called animal control. 

Let us know how it turns out. 

"Hells bells and panther tracks!"   

LOL!  I hadn't heard that one before.

It's too bad things happened too quick for those dogs to die from lead poisoning, victims or not.   From what I have heard recently concerning response times from BPD, it is just not worth being accurate when calling them.  On the phone maybe say, "They shot my dog in my garage with my family present and in danger!"  and when the cops arrive it's, "No,no.  The dogs shot into my garage really fast." 

And people wonder why animal hoarders from SoCal come here? They all know our local authorities will look the other way until neighbors force them to deal with the issue. Same goes with viscious dogs. Animals have been KILLED by other dogs and Animal Control/BPD has done nothing. It's ridiculous that the agency which is supposed to handle this seems to do nothing but ask people to license their dogs and manage the animal shelter and ignores all its other duties. People certainly aren't going to learn to control their pets while Animal Control and the BPD treat loose dogs attacking other dogs as a non-issue.

Your best bet is to sue the dog owner in small claims court for the vet bill. I doubt you'll get anywhere with Animal Control, even if you constantly prod them. The dogs should have been seized since they bit a human and attacked an animal, but I bet Animal Control didn't even fine the dog owner for not properly containing the dogs. You mention guns Curt, and honestly this is one situation where it seems like arming yourself is the only way to make sure you and yours aren't hurt by the viscious dogs that are allowed to run loose.

Another thought just came to me. Try calling KGET or KBAK news. That gal who was getting letters to license her stuffed dog wasn't able to get Animal Control to stop sending letters until she called the news. Maybe if everyone called the news every time Animal Control did NOTHING about a viscious dog attacking animals (and people), Animal Control might start doing something.

if they broke skin and you bled animal control has to act..

my border male dakota was attacked by a pitbull at the Kroll dog park..i hit that sucker so hard in the head with my bubba jug it broke the handle..the hispanic owner said .."he never act this way before"....YA RIGHT..then 20 minutes later the playful pit had a shepard on the ground rippin into it over a ball..

everyone was running at him and yelling so the pit ran off playing with the stolen ball like nothing happened..the shepard was carried off by its owners to have its belly and neck stitched up..

the stinger here was i had a friend who was a homicide detective running his dog with me..he walked over to the young infidel who was yaking on his cell ignoring the whole thing..he made him hangup and introduced himself as detective yadd yadda and began giving him a well deserved verbal thrashing..the jest of which is you have ten minutes to gather your things and leave the park..if with in that time your dog even looks cross eyed at someone else or their dog he would personally take out his weapon and extinguish the mutt infront of him and everyone at the park...we all applauded and the young man was gone in about 2 seconds..

we called animal control via cell....they said if they come back do not confront them..allow them to settle in and call us immediatley..they would come and pick up the dog and deal with the owner post haste..

if this guy is a regular dog walker in your area i would set something up like that as a backup..of course if you have his name etc i would sue him for damages and report you were bitten..

my mother in law was attacked and bitten on her face by a chow one time at a yard sale..their homeowners settled for dr bills and 10 grand..the people also had to get rid of the dog or lose their insurance coverage..

So sorry to see what happened to your puppy. The same thing happened to me one evening in my driveway in the northeast near the old Mesa Marin Raceway but there was NO owner with the pit that attacked my chained doberman. I was probably crazy to jump in and take this pit to the ground but I was willing to do anything to save my dog. The pit started to turn on me (I am a female, age 45, and smart enough to know it wasn't the smartest thing to do:) I continued to hold the pit bull down until it gave up the fight. Thank goodness this stray dog was attention-starved and realized I was someone that might have its next meal or a warm place to sleep. Wrong. I walked this dog down the street, pulling it by it's old flea collar but each time I let go of it she ran straight back to my driveway and and continued to attack my dog. The same neighborhood that was FULL of people to help me just minutes before was completely deserted! I walked from house to house hoping I could find someone to hold this "killer" dog so I could run back to my house and put my dog away. This darn pit kept trying to "head butt" me as I led it house to house desperately for help. I finally found a guy a few doors down, (I begged his wife to pulled him of the shower to help me). They called animal control. My dog was left with some scratches and a few wounds to his paws but it could have been so much worse. I truly think this breed is vicious and needs to be delt with. I have heard of those that have lost their lives encountering stray pit bulls in their driveway and garages and that went through my mind as I jumped in to rescue my dog. The fact that you have an OWNER not responsible enough to keep his dogs secure and animals that have caused your dog injuries and the COST of an emergency vet visit, I would go further and sue for damages and have these dogs evaluated by animal control. I raised a doberman that was the sweetest dog (I just lost him on July 4th). I think that OWNER'S contribute to the viciousness of the pit bull breed and they think it is cool when their dogs become "killers". These owners need to "pay" for this and maybe the next guy will make sure his dogs NEVER get loose.

Brings back not-so-pleasant (or shall I say pleasant?) memories of walking my Rhodesian ridgeback that I took in when she flunked the police drug-sniffing training program for not being aggressive enough. She apparently vindicated herself and showed what the cops were missing during a pair of walks with her under leash (a concept I can't tell you how many folks have failed to grasp). One owner's little pooch came storming over out of nowhere and started attacking my dog, who promptly subdued it with a big chomp down on its back. The bitchy owner then retrieved her dog and looked at me as if it was all my fault.

Another similar incident occurred involving a Dalmation that the owner, too, stupidly left unleashed in the front yard, allowing it to rush over only to get its ass kicked by my dog. I tried to restrain her by grabbing her collar, but it broke, allowing her to make the other dog pay big time  for its indiscretion. I was forced to beat up and grab the back legs of my own dog to yank her away from the other one. Once again, the other owner gave me the evil eyes. Go figure.

call animal control...report an attack, and that you were bit.  request a potentially dangerous dog hearing, which will take place in city council chambers.

you can also roll down to the bpd station and go in and make a report

Simple. The dogs are dangerous. If Animal Control will not do anything it's time for some hamburger meat with a little sweetening.

I am so sorry to hear this, Curt. Glad to see your lovely Gracie will make a full recovery.

I'd go after that neighbor with everything I had at my disposal, legally. Get in touch with a lawyer, take lots of photos, make a police report. There is no excuse for people having pets they are unwilling to properly restrain (illegal by itself, without the resulting injuries). Sue for the cost of care, for both you and your dog, plus any additional compensation for lost time on your part, either due to the injury or dealing with this issue. I am beyond sick of people negating their responsibilities when it comes to animals they choose to keep.

Keep us posted on Gracie's progress, Curt.

Call the BPD dispatch on the non emergency line and ask to speak with the watch commander.  Explain what happened, request an explanation, and request a quick response from an officer to your house to take a report from you and the pit bull owner, along with the rabies proof from the owner.  Request a citation be issued for a leash law violation, and ask the BPD to check for any reports regarding prior incidents with the owner and/or his dogs.

Curt, you've got a CCW permit like I do. If it were in MY garage, it would have been a blood bath............................in the garage...............in front of the owner.  Then, I would have called Police and pressed charges on the owner. A dog doesn't bite me but once. After that, he'll never bite another person.

geez

My dog was attacked by 2 pit bulls as well.  I had an adrenaline rush reading your post.

Since dogs are regarded as property, the best course of action was small claims court.  I was awarded the limit ($7,500) plus court costs.  Please contact me if you would like any information or encouragement. 

Since you were injured you may be able to sue for much more.

This site is very, very helpful http://www.dogbitelaw.com/.

I hope that Gracie has a speedy recovery.    Sorry to go OT but I want to share a tip about rabies vaccination documentation. As soon as we get home from getting their booster shots I make copies of the rabies vaccination certificates. I put a copy of each pet's  rabies certificate in the glove boxes of each of our cars.  I never let any of my pets run lose but when we travel I try to be prepared for any and all problems.   I have heard of folks who while on vacation they were in car wrecks and sent to the hospital.  Their pets were sent to animal shelters.   I keep documentation on hand to show ownership and vaccination history.  I also keep copies of their micro chip information with me.  Since there is always a car on my driveway when the dogs and I are home I have quick access to the information if I need it.  I do not have to run into the house and dig around looking for the originals.  Just because my dogs have never gotten lose does not mean it can never happen.  Wind storms, earthquakes, burglars, yard guys, utility employees  are all capable of  leaving an open door or gate.   Dogs get out of fenced yards sometimes through no fault of their owners.

 Well folks, it's been a long day.   Thanks for the support and encouragement.

I finally spoke with Animal Control and filed a report.   Animal Control advised me they will require the owner to produce the dogs for a ten day quarantine (at the owner's house) I will call Animal Control again tomorrow and request a Vicious Dog Hearing and try to ascertain the rabies status of these two deadly weapons. 

I have also called the dog's owner twice to find out the rabies status of these dogs and left messages both times. So far he hasn't seen fit to return my calls. Honestly, I doubt he will be man enough to return my calls regardless of what I do.  So the next step is legal.  I also called KBAK TV and left a message on their news-line to let them know of the attack.  Haven't heard from them yet.

While it's a little late,  I have placed one of my firearms within easy reach at all times so whenever I am in my garage it's within a step or two at all times.  I honestly hope I never have to use it - but it could have just as easily been me that was rolled over on the ground being eviscerated by these beasts.

I don't want anyone reading this to think I hate pit bulls (or any animal).   What I totally detest are people who willfully train their dogs to behave this way.  My son has two pit bulls he raised from small puppies and they are the most lovable and social dogs I have ever seen - They LOVE everybody!  So I know it's NOT the dog,  it's the owner who is at fault.  Unfortunately, you can't reason with an attacking animal and as the BPD show over and over again,  the only course of action with an attacking animal is to use deadly force.

Anyone know a good lawyer?

Milt Younger or Chain, Cohn & stiles or Rodriquez & Assoc. (the one that seems to win all his civil suits!) Some even have a clause of "no recovery - no fee"

GO FOR IT!!!

  SoCaMuscle:

I'm not positive, but I believe the doctor was Dr. Keese.  

You gotta good buddy there, he was OUTSTANDING in providing care to my Gracie.

Witter - Thanks!

Curt:  I hope your pet and you are both restored to perfection.  The fact you're both okay is the most important thing.  Good luck in your pursuit of justice -- and safety.

No lawyer will touch a dog attack on a dog.  There isn't enough money in it for them to bother.  As I stated earlier, I went through this via small claims court.  The link I offered was extremely helpful to me.

Best advice:  Let the adrenaline simmer down tonight.  Tomorrow, methodically collect all the information for your case using http://www.dogbitelaw.com/.  Take many photos.  Prepare a detailed, organized file for you and the court (evidence).

Good luck

Re: a good lawyer ~ Curtis Floyd of Floyd & Horrigan

Curt, California Civil Code entitles a victim of a dog bite to be compensated. This is a slam dunk case for you since you were bitten but it may take up to three years or longer before this case would see the inside of a civil court. Most likely it would be settled in arbitration if the owner of the dogs sticks around that long. Most likely he will bug out with the dogs for fear they might be destroyed. I don't know why the BPD wouldn't send an officer for a report, I took a few of them with the KCSO. When a vicious animal has been identified prudence dictates that public safety is paramount. Dispatchers are not peace officers. If you are not satisfied with the response you get from a dispatcher ask to speak with the O.I.C. or the Watch Commander.

Very sorry to hear about this terrible confrontation and the subsequent injuries. From the description you have provided there are several laws your neighbor and his dogs have broken, even in Bakersfield. The BPD just has too much on its plate to deal with neighbor dust ups involving dogs it seems. As all the stories from the many years of reporting by James Burger have demonstrated Animal Control does not have enough manpower to do anything either, other than take a report. The dogs will likely be quarantined by animal control but if this is the first reported violation nothing will happen to the dogs.

You should follow many of the above posters who recommended a lawyer. The law is for these sorts of incidents and your neighbor should pay the price for his negligence in regard to your health and your dog Gracie's health.

Get well soon!

BEFORE you contact the owner of the dogs again please call Milt Younger (324-1100). He will instruct you on how you should handle this from this point on. Please keep your dealings with an attorney confidential...your neighbor may be reading this blog as well.

We are hoping Gracie has a full recovery.

 Try calling KGET or KBAK news.

Very good idea. I hope your doggie makes a full recovery and you see some justice in this matter. That photo makes me want to just hug her! People need to cease and desist allowing their pets, vicious or otherwise, to run amok through the neighborhood. The threat of them attacking or being attacked is only part of the problem. Every day I see a new roadkill on my way to work. It is so sad.

Curtis Floyd would be my choice!

BPD does not take reports on dog bites, period.  City Animal Control was off duty.  They are not authorized for overtime unless an animal without an owner is found sick/injured.  The vicious animal was not roaming the streets but was contained by the owner and could be easily relocated.  There was no need for response that night.  If the dog had been roaming free there would have been a call entered for an officer to attempt to locate the animal, however, due to the lack of officers on the streets and handling other emergencies first, that would have taken hours to handle.  Maybe you all should complain to the likes of Scrivner and Weir about the lack of police response.  It may surprise you to know the reason an officer takes forever to respond is because there are usually only 30 or so (need at least 2 to respond to inprogress incidents) handling a metropolis of approximately half a million people and spans 100 square miles.  And if an officer calls in sick or takes a vacation day, there is no officer called in to cover his area due to overtime constraints.

This is why anytime I am working in the garage or in front of it bbqing I have a firearm within reach, with so many dogs running around, not to mention the trash (parolee's, punks, etc) you have to. The cops won't show unless there is an altercation or a call for shots fired. There was a brawl in the front of the apt between 2 guys with kids playing out there & it took the police 45 minutes to get there, they won't show for a dog attack unless you end the attack & with dogs pulling them apart won't stop it but a bat or a slug sure will. 

Curt

Just reading your story sent shivers down my spine.  It reminds me of the blog I wrote last year describing how the two pit bulls from the neighbors in the back got into our yard  after breaking through a fence board and roamed around for 2 1/2 hours.  They would have easily taken me down if I hadn't won the foot race to the back door.  For two hours they lunged at us through the windows, but our greatest concern was the safety of our four cats and one dog (chihuahua).  

After two hours of this, and two calls to 911, animal control came to pick them up.   Fortunately the neighbors were leaning through the broken board calling the dogs home just as she drove up,

The neighbor put up an electrified fence.   My husband very matter of factly told him that the next time they got into our yard he would shoot them like he did their pit bull 4 years ago.  (These people never learn!)

The whole experience was terrifying because of the blood lust the dogs exhibited.   I feel terrible for anyone who gets caught by one of them.

Curt, take the vet bill to the dog owner and tell him he's responsible for  ALL OF IT!  When his dogs behavior starts affecting his pocketbook he'll take steps to secure them.

Curt, while everyone including you are concerned about Gracie (and rightly so) I'm more concerned about the rabies issue.  You should have gone right to your doctor or urgent care to get it on record and go after the idiot with pain, suffering, and mental distress.  The law and the court may not take animal to animal bites seriously but they should when a human is involved.  Do it for Gracie.

I'm sick to death of loose dogs.  It almost makes me ill when I see one running around a highway and I want to find the owners and kick their butts.  When I work in the front yard I often let Zack the wonder dog stay out with me on a small chain.  He loves rolling in the grass and watching the neighbors go by.  When he jumps up and barks I almost freak out and start looking for the reason he's barking.  My own lab shook him til he was screaming and now I keep them totally seperated so I most likely would beat a bigger dog with a shovel if it attacked Zack out front.  I NEVER leave him alone longer than to run in and get a drink or something..I just don't trust that no one has let their dog out at that time.

Izarox, thanks for the info. We often forget how thin the thin blue line really is.

 My wife and I have always felt reasonably safe sitting in our garage in the evenings.  It gives us a chance to have a breath of (reasonably) fresh air and we can watch the moon rise.   Now, the illusion of safety has been shattered and I have a cocked & locked .45 within arms length at all times.

Last night ANOTHER pit bull charged down the middle of the street.  I told my wife to go in the house and call 911 and I picked up my .45 just in case he decided to try to blitz me.  Thankfully, he kept going and ended up going to a neighbors house where he head-butted the fence repeatedly to gain access to their back yard.   BPD showed up (2-cars) and took the dog into custody.  It's ironic in that one of the BPD officers that responded already had a pit in the back of his car.  That one was picked up at a nearby Junior High School where kids were playing.

I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow where I'll get the dreaded tetanus shot.  Since the dogs are in quarantine I won't have to undergo the rabies inoculation series. (Whew!) .

Gracie is doing better - She FINALLY ate a half bowl of food this morning but I'm still waiting to see her tail wag.  Once I see that coffee-table-clearing-tail wag I'll know she is feeling better.

As expected, the deadbeat owner of the pit bulls STILL hasn't returned any of my calls.

BTW, I did call Channel 29 and they aren't interested in covering the story. While very nice and sympathetic all she recommended was Animal Control and filing a civil suit for damages.  

I wonder,  If being attacked by two vicious pit bulls in your own garage isn't newsworthy what is? What does it take a child being killed?   My faith in the media is at a new all-time low.

Hell with the phone calls. Just keep a record of when you called him and any (if any) response you got.   At least THIS time BPD showed up eh!  I know LE is over worked and under staffed, that said, I feel a pit bull on the loose who is trying to cause damage is just as much an emergency as some gang person trying to kill another gang member. Hell, let the gang people kill each other - get the nasty pits who are trying to harm innocent people, off the streets

There was once a pit bull attack on our street.  It took five of us neighbors to get the dogs apart and then tied  up.  Someone called Animal Control but they were too busy to come out.  One of the neighbors put the pit bull in the back of his pickup and drove out to the shelter on Mt. Vernon. They would not let him leave the dog there. They said Animal Control has to come pick up the dog themselves. Do you know why?  If they start letting people bring in dogs they claim have attacked them then what is to stop just anyone from opening your gate letting your pet out and then claiming they were attacked by it.  I can see their point.  Anyone with a grudge against you could vindictively claim there was a problem with your pets.  It is sad but true  there are some people who will lie about anything and everything to get back at someone.  Send a registered letter to your neighbor that includes a copy of Gracie's vet bill.  Let him know you expect him or his insurance company to reimburse you.  Try to keep your dealings with this guy civil.  He does after all know where you live. 

 notatroll-

I AM keeping it civil!  

This irresponsible dirt bag doesn't even have the decency to pick up his phone and call me!  

Exactly what am I to infer from his refusal to communicate with me?      He's busy?   Bull$#&* ! ! !

I am the type of neighbor folks only dream of having - I'll cut a neighbors lawn,  help them with plumbing problems and fix their computers when they crash.  All I want this guy to do is return my call.  I haven't demanded payment or anything like that, all I have asked for is the rabies certificate for his dogs - yet he can't be bothered to even let me know if his dogs have had their shots?   Gimme a break!    

(Yeah, he knows where I live, but the opposite is also true).  

CURT....................keep your camera handy as well as your .45 !!!!!

pics are louder then words......................although I do believe a .45 would be louder!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   hee hee hee!!

Of course you are being civil  CD I am sorry if I implied you were not.  I suggested the R letter because then you have proof that you are trying to contact him.  Not everyone checks their phone message storage and retrieval system daily.  I know that we do not.  We went through a similar process with one of our neighbors, who we did not know.  Their dog dug under their fence and attacked us as we were walking our dog on its leash.  My dog and I were both bitten. Then my dog tore the hide off that other dog and it ran away crying.  I was worried about the other dog and  left notes on the front door of the house where the dog lived.  Please call me. Is your dog okay? Do you have proof of vaccination?   Because there was never any answer from these people I was forced to undergo the anti-rabies shot series. That was in 1982 it still hurts to think about those shots.   If your neighbor does have proof of vaccination would Animal Control still be requiring quarantine?  Or is quarantine standard in these cases regardless of vaccination status?  If he had to show his proof to Animal Control maybe he assumes they would let you know about it also.  It has been my experience that some people can be jerks without ever even realizing it.

 notatroll-

Animal Control quarantines ALL dogs that have bitten a human.  It's standard protocol.  

The Animal Control officer (a wonderful lady btw) advised me the owner of the dogs couldn't provide her with a rabies certificate but will HAVE to before the quarantine period is over.  I am not privy to what happens if he cannot provide the information to her at that time.

Witter - I'm on it!.

She gave the dogs owner a copy of our vet bill and told him it would be best if he paid it - that way I wouldn't be as likely to pursue additional action.  But still no returned call...

You go Curt!

Hit him where it hurts, his wallet.  Maybe it'll encourage him to keep his dogs restrained.

I would be so upset if any of my dogs ever bit someone or their pet.

When we had a rottie (crossed over at age 13) I said from the git go, "this dog bites a person or another animal without provocation and she has a one way ticket to the vet"  Although she was provoked on several occasions - she never bit anything except her toys, bones and dog food!!

We did have an Old English Sheepdog (she'd had parvo as an 8wk old pup and had drain bamage) who bit the bum of one of the twins next door! right through the levis and undies! The only thing that saved this dogs bacon was, she was in her own yard, the kids had been warned she "might" bite if they came over the fence (as they liked to do), their parents had told them not to go over the fence. We offered to pay any medical bills and the dad of the kids said, "he was told to not go over the fence and he did anyway - the kid gets what he deserves!" Dad asked the kid which side of his bum the dog had bitten and then proceeded to paddle the OTHER side all the way into the house!!!!!!  If people came through our front door all was well with this dog. But come through the gate or over the fence and your bum was hers!!!!

Try KGET since KBAK wasn't interested. Different news, different set of eyes looking at the issue. KGET seems to cover more pet stories than KBAK, so maybe their news editor is more sympathetic to animal stories.

curt i was placed in a similar situation at the end of june, i came home from work and there was a huge pitbull in my yard, with no collar or anything. i carry a firearm for work related duties. i got out of my car and the dog charged towards me, i got back in the car  i attempted to get out of the car 3 or 4 more times while the dog was wandering around, it even left my yard only to return as soon as i tried to get out of the car for the last time, i called bpd, the dispatcher told me that they would not send an officer and i would have to wait until animal control came on duty, it was 5 am i had just worked a 10 hour shift and she wanted me to wait for another 2 hours for animal control. i told the dispatcher i was armed and i was not going to wait for 2 hours for animal control, she told me i need to do what i feel was nessecery, so i waited for the dog to go away from my car, i jumped out and ran for my front doo, the dog came around the corner of the house head down tail lowered and charging me, i fired 2 shots hitting the dog both times. i called bpd back and let them know the update on my situation, they sent an officer to my house. the dog was determined to be a fighting pit and i would imagine it would have torn my leg from my body had i not taken the action i did. i felt bad about having to shoot it, it was not the dogs fault for wanting to bite me, the owner was at fault. the problem was there was no way to tell who the owner was, it would have been very bad for me.

UPDATE:

Well, I went to my personal physician today for the dreaded tetanus shot and to find out why my neck and left shoulder hurt so damn bad...

My doc says when I grabbed the pit bulls collar and yanked as hard as I could, I tore my rotator cuff - and I have no idea how I did this - broke off a portion of a vertebrae in my neck.   DANG, I didn't know I yanked THAT  hard!

Gracie is doing "Okay" she is still whining in pain and frustration from not being able to lick her wounds, but on the bright side, she gets the penrose drain removed from her side tomorrow afternoon, so that should increase her comfort level a little.  

Poor Gracie is having a terrible time adjusting to the "Moon Collar" she has to wear, it makes it VERY difficult for her to eat and drink so I have been hand-feeding her as much as she will eat.  Looking into her eyes, it's clear she doesn't understand what's going on, she only knows she hurts and can't lick her wounds.

Now the not-so-fun-stuff begins:  Gathering up all of the reports and taking care of business.

YEESH!  Whatta hassle!

OH BOY........................... Now you really have a case against the idiot! Not only is your dog hurt now you are really hurt. Sure hope he has homeowners insurance.  Hmmmmmm I wonder if his insurance carrier knows he has pits? The home insurance is much higher if they know you have a pit, rottie, german shepard or doberman.

You go Curt!!!  Hang in there Gracie :-)

I'd been feeling so bad for Gracie and it sounds like you are in for some prolonged healing time and possibly surgery.  I hope you follow the previous advise and get that attorney.  You may have a lot of suffering ahead of you. 

Must I shake you by the dog collar, Curt?!  I've gone through this.  Small claims all the way.  Please refer to this website for guidance http://www.dogbitelaw.com/.  It cost me about $9.95 to recover more than $7,500.  Sheesh!

Maybelline:

Not every situation is the same.  While small claims was perfect for you, it may or may not be the best way for me to go.  

I have a consultation with a lawyer set for later this week and we'll see what he says.  If he takes the case,  it will be on a contingency basis, so there's an incentive for him to work as hard as possible for me (he comes with a great recommendation from a lawyer who is a personal friend of mine).  If he declines, the small claims option is still there for me to pursue.

Having said all that, I DO want to thank you for your valuable advice!

Gracie FINALLY picked up her favorite squeaky-toy last night.  She still can't play "Fetch" but she chews it and makes it squeak.  It's sure good to see her tail wag again!