Dean Cooley Injured In Versailles Dog Attack
Personal Injury - April 23, 2024
Dean Cooley, 75, Injured After Being Attacked By Multiple Dogs At Home In Versailles
VERSAILLES, ILLINOIS (April 22, 2024) – A 75-year-old man identified as Dean Cooley was injured after being bitten multiple times by two dogs near his home in Versailles.
Brown County officials are saying that the attack took place on January 22. Dean Cooley was approaching an intersection carrying a bag of salt for his icy driveway.
As he was walking, one dog approached him in an aggressive manner and began barking and growling. The owner of the dog opened his front door after hearing the barking.
It was at that point that a second dog came outside, and both dogs began attacking the man. Dean Cooley was able to fight the dogs off before the owner was able to pull one of them away.
The victim sustained 14 bites to his arms, legs, and ears. He was taken to Jacksonville Memorial Hospital in order to receive treatment.
A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Versailles Dog Attacks
Dog attacks remain one of the leading causes of preventable injury and death in the United States. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, “Dog bites pose a serious health risk to our communities and society. More than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States, and more than 800,000 receive medical attention for dog bites.” Dog owners should take a number of measures in order to prevent dog attacks.
- Dogs should always be walked on a leash, except in designated no-leash areas.
- Dogs should be well secured at the home of the owner.
- Dogs should be well socialized when they are young.
Dog owners in Illinois can be held strictly liable if their dog injures someone. Pursuant to 510 ILCS 5/16, “If a dog or other animal, without provocation, attacks, attempts to attack, or injures any person who is peaceably conducting himself or herself in any place where he or she may lawfully be, the owner of such dog or other animal is liable in civil damages to such person for the full amount of the injury proximately caused thereby.” Several steps should be taken after any dog attack.
- Eyewitnesses should be interviewed.
- A police report of the attack should be created.
- Medical records related to the attack should be preserved.
- An experienced dog bite injury attorney should be contacted.
The vast majority of dog attacks are preventable. They tend to occur when owners allow their dogs off-leash or fail to properly secure them. Victims of dog attacks tend to suffer very serious and costly injuries. It is important that victims of dog attacks understand that they do have rights. Any person who is injured in a dog attack can seek some measure of justice through a civil claim. A dog bite injury attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case free of charge and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating Versailles Dog Attacks
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to Dean Cooley as he continues to recover. This was a preventable attack that should not have taken place. It is our sincere hope that county officials will crack down on loose dogs roaming around. These animals need to be properly secured so that they don’t endanger the public.
Have you or someone that you care about been attacked by a dog in Illinois? You may have legal recourse. Our team of personal injury attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that victims get the medical and financial support that they are entitled to under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
