Seminole County Officials Plan to Euthanize Dog That Bit Waitress in Oviedo

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on May 28, 2014

Seminole County Animal Control officers recently announced that they planned to euthanize a dog that bit a waitress at an Outback Steakhouse in Oviedo recently. Officials say that the 25-year-old owner of the American Staffordshire terrier surrendered the animal to authorities for a required 10-day quarantine period, where the animal will be monitored for signs of rabies.

Bob Hunter, Seminole County’s animal services director, said that after the quarantine period expires, the 2-year-old dog will "more than likely" be euthanized.

Hunter said that the animal had been adopted at a county animal shelter but provided few other details.

"It’s an unfortunate situation," he said. "Typically we don’t adopt out ‘bite’ dogs."

The dog bite incident began when the dog’s owner and a friend were sitting together at an outdoor table at the restaurant on Mitchell Hammock Road when the victim, a waitress at the restaurant, bent down to place a bowl of water on the ground for the dog. As she was placing the bowl, the dog lunged forward and bit her on the right hand, according to the Oviedo police report.

Paramedics arriving at the scene bandaged the woman’s hand and recommended that she go to the hospital to receive stitches for the wound. Unlike the vast majority of states, Florida allows dogs in any public place as long as the animals are leashed. Florida was the first state in the country to pass a law allowing dogs in outdoor areas of restaurants.
The "doggie dining" bill, which was sponsored by former state Rep. Sheri McInvale, R- Orlando, went into effect July 1, 2006.

Although this dog bite attack was relatively minor, the victim still has a right to seek damages against the owner to pay medical costs, replace lost wages, compensate her for pain and suffering and other damages. If you or a loved one are one of the hundreds of people injured in Florida dog bite incidents each year and you would like to speak with an Orlando personal injury attorney, call James O. Cunningham today at 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587). Mr. Cunningham has a proven record of success helping injured clients receive the maximum possible compensation for their injuries through court awards and negotiated settlements and has nearly four decades of experience as an Orlando dog bite lawyer. If you would like to learn more about your legal options, call him today and schedule your free consultation.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.