A woman has filed a lawsuit against two dog owners, claiming that their dog bit her. The filing was made in Cook County Circuit Court on May 22 and says that the owners violated the Animal Control Act. The woman is seeking compensation for damages incurred.

The filing states that the woman was close to a Village of La Grange Park property on Homestead Road on May 23, 2012. After the dog attack, the woman says that she suffered incapacitating injuries. The filing also says that the woman will continue to feel anguish and will require future medical care.

According to the Animal Control Act, the owner of a dog who tries to attack, attacks or injures a person without provocation is liable for civil damages to the person. The person has the right to file a claim for anything from a minor scar to disfigurement. In addition to this, anyone who violates the Act or any person who aids or abets the violation of the Act commits a Class C misdemeanor. A person who continuously violates the Act or helps someone else violate the Act commits a Class B misdemeanor.

In cases like this one, the owner of the dog who bit someone could be held liable for the damages that the dog caused. This could include compensation to pay for related medical treatment received and for related medical treatment that may be necessary in the future. In most cases, the owner’s home insurance policy covers the financial damages. The owners may also be charged with a misdemeanor for the incident pursuant to the Act.

Source: Illinois General Assembly, ‘Animal Control Act”

Source: The Cook County Record, “Alleged dog attack spurs lawsuit against LaGrange Park couple“, Matt Russell, June 30, 2014