In November of 2024, a Georgia woman narrowly escaped death after being attacked by a dog. While this particular victim survived, many do not. If her husband had not been with her, she probably would have become yet another worrying statistic in Georgia. These attacks not only illustrate the rising threat from aggressive dogs but also the vulnerability of many women in our communities. Even if victims survive dog attacks, the disfiguring scars and lasting health consequences can be life-changing. What does this recent dog attack in Georgia teach us?
Woman Survives With Notable Disfigurements After Dog Attack
In November of 2024, an Albany woman was feeding her cats in her own backyard when the neighbor’s pit bull suddenly appeared and attacked her. Her husband was inside the residence at the time, and he quickly emerged to protect his wife from what might have been a deadly attack. In the seconds that it took for him to reach the yard, his wife’s face was viciously mauled.
The husband states that as he approached the dog, it retreated and “walked away like nothing had happened.” However, his wife’s face was beyond recognition. According to the husband, “It looked like half of her face had been torn off.” Despite these disfiguring injuries, the husband is thankful that his wife survived – noting that the dog was about to bite into her throat when he arrived on the scene.
Police and paramedics arrived shortly thereafter, and they took the dog into custody. The neighbors voluntarily surrendered the animal, and it was euthanized. The victims say that they do not want to press charges against their neighbors despite the fact that the wife has gone through three separate surgeries after the incident. Her doctors say that she can expect more surgeries in the future.
Disfigurement is a Common Consequence of Dog Attacks in Georgia
This woman’s story is far from unique. Many dog attacks cause permanent facial disfigurement, and these scars can cause a range of medical and psychological issues. Unlike blades or shards of glass, a dog’s set of teeth does not cut neatly into the flesh. Instead, these wounds are unsightly and difficult to treat. In addition, dogs tend to target the face and neck area during attacks – making facial disfigurement likely.
In Georgia, disfigurement is a type of “non-economic damage.” Victims may claim this damage as part of a dog bite lawsuit as they pursue compensation for their psychological challenges. Often, this type of compensation can be substantial, and non-economic damages can be far greater than the underlying medical costs or lost wages.
While many dog bite victims decide not to pursue legal action, it is impossible to predict how an attack might affect you later in life. The psychological effects of disfigurement could be far more challenging than you realize, especially as the permanent nature of these blemishes becomes clear. The statute of limitations for dog bite lawsuits in Georgia is two years, and this gives victims some time to consider the possibility of legal action.