Jerry Schlich Injured In West Belleville Dog Attack
Personal Injury - January 25, 2024
Jerry Schlich, 73, Seriously Injured After Being Attacked By Dog Along West B Street In West Belleville
WEST BELLEVILLE, ILLINOIS (January 25, 2024) – A 73-year-old man identified as Jerry Schlich was injured in a West Belleville dog attack along West B. Street.
St. Clair County officials are saying that the incident began on January 4. Kelli Schlich said that her husband Jerry Schlich was walking their son’s dogs on West B. Street.
A large tan and white colored dog which may have been an Akita-mix and another dog attacked the family’s two dogs. Jerry Schlich fought back in order to save his family’s dogs and suffered numerous bite wounds in the process.
The two dogs involved in the attack ran off shortly after the attack. Jerry Schlich was hospitalized after the incident and needed a series of painful shots.
Belleville police are still searching for the two dogs that were involved. A full investigation remains ongoing.
Liability For West Belleville Dog Attacks
Dog bites remain one of the most common causes of serious injury and hospitalization 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, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). At least half of those bitten are children.” There are a number of steps that dog owners should take in order to prevent dog attacks.
- Dogs should be socialized from an early age.
- Dog owners should always supervise their dogs when they are around unfamiliar people or in new places.
- Dog owners should have their dogs on leashes unless they are in a designated off-leash area.
- Dog owners should make sure that their animals are properly secured either in their home or yard.
Illinois is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites. 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.” Victims of dog attacks tend to suffer very serious injuries including:
- Lacerations
- Bite marks
- Broken bones
- Rabies
- Sepsis
- Infections
The vast majority of dog bites are preventable. They often involve owners that let their dogs be off leash. In many situations, dogs may escape from yards that were not properly secure. It is important for victims of dog attacks to understand that they do have rights. Any person that is injured in a dog attack may have legal recourse through a civil claim. Sadly, though, dog owners will often do everything in their power to deny responsibility if their animal attacks someone.
Investigating West Belleville Dog Attacks
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to Jerry Schlich and his family as he continues to recover. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be some accountability for what took place.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a dog attack? You may have legal recourse. Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they are entitled to. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any incident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
