A jury awarded $218,868 to a DeKalb County woman who was bit and wounded by her neighbor’s dog, her lawyer announced last week.
Sherry Whitfield was walking down her driveway on Lake Watch Drive after collecting her mail in July 2016 when her next-door neighbor’s Labrador-pit bull mix attacked her. The 80-pound dog, which was loose, bit her on her left leg and knocked her down, according to a statement from her attorney, David Zagoria.
Whitfield, who was 50 at the time, suffered two deep bite wounds and had to undergo scar revision surgery. Her medical bills totaled more than $20,000, Zagoria said.
The dog’s owners argued they had not carelessly managed their dog and pointed out that the victim had no permanent injuries.
Liberty Mutual insurance company offered Whitfield $40,000 prior to the trial, which lasted four days in DeKalb County State Court, Zagoria said.
Under DeKalb County’s code, owners must keep their dog on a leash if not on their property.
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