Teen Attacked By Two Australian Shepherds in Manatee County

Posted on January 2, 2013

A 13-year-old Bradenton boy is recovering after two Australian Shepherd dogs attacked him while he was attempting to give a mailman a letter his father had forgotten to send out.

According to the teen, the attack was unprovoked. “As soon as they got close enough they just sank their teeth right into my leg,” he told ABC News.

The boy was riding his bike when the dogs attacked him. While he attempted to fend them off, the dogs dragged him to the ground and bit him on the calf six times. While he was fighting the dogs off, a neighbor, who the teen credits with saving his life, came to his aid.

ABC News reports that the dog attack was severe enough to expose muscle, and while he only received six stiches, dozens more will be needed once his wounds drain. He will likely have to undergo skin grafts and plastic surgery to repair the damage.

Manatee County deputies say the dogs escaped from a neighbor’s house after they jumped through the screen of an open window. The owner of the dogs was at work at the time of the attack. Ironically, one of the dogs allegedly had worked as a therapy dog for more than 10 years.

Every year, dogs bite thousands of people — sadly, many of them are children. The resulting injuries can be devastating, both physically and mentally. If you or a loved one has been harmed during a dog attack, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, hospitalization, and other damages. Call the Manatee County dog bite attorneys at Farah & Farah if you have questions about your legal rights. We’re at (800) 533-3555 or we can be contacted online. Your call and your consultation are free and confidential.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.