Ohio Supreme Court Ruling Could Change Dog Bite Suits

An Ohio Supreme Court ruling could result in more trouble for dog owners taken to court for the personal injuries their animals cause.

In a case that was initially filed in Summit County, Ohio, the court ruled 5-2 on January 6 that owners could be sued both under the state’s dog bite law and for more general negligence.

The decision was in favor of a 12-year-old girl who suffered head injuries when she was mauled by a dog.

A trial judge had allowed the girl’s mother to only file suit under the dog bite statute, limiting the monetary award in the case. Compensatory damages of $5,000 were awarded for the girl’s medical expenses.

According to the Supreme Court’s ruling, the mother should have also been permitted to pursue a negligence claim for possible punitive damages.