Woman Killed from Dog Bite to Throat
New Jersey dog bite attorneys frequently come across cases of serious injuries in a dog bite attack. However, a recent attack in Virginia involving a woman who was fatally bitten by a dog, has highlighted the not-so-obvious- dangers from these bites.
According to news reports, the woman, who has been identified as Theresa Ellerman, was visiting a home in Norfolk when she was attacked by an Alaskan malamute. The woman was bitten on the neck, and soon after, began to experience respiratory problems. She died about an hour later. According to police, the dog did not maul Ellerman, but bit her at least once. The animal is under quarantine, and so far, no charges have been filed. The death has been ruled as accidental. The medical examiner has confirmed that Ellerman died from a dog bite to her throat.
This tragic incident is proof of how even an attack involving the warmest and most affectionate family dogs like Alaskan malamutes, can be serious enough to kill an adult. When you hear the terms “dog bite” or “dog attack,” you think of one or more than one ferocious dogs, attacking a person in a full-on violent assault. This case seems to have been different. There were bites on the throat, and death occurred within a couple of hours.
It just goes to show that even owners of dog breeds which are not typically considered aggressive, must exercise caution while having their dog among strangers. It’s impossible to accurately predict animal behavior, and there are hundreds of dog bites every year that can be traced to seemingly harmless family dog breeds, like Pomeranians. The fact is that dog owners have the responsibility to make sure that their dog does not bite or harm others, no matter what the size or breed.
Scott Grossman is a New Jersey dog bite lawyer, representing injured victims of dog bite attacks in Monmouth, Bergen, Passaic and Ocean Counties and across the state of New Jersey.
My Malamute just bite our neighbor in the throat. She came over to feed him and while crouching over his container of dog food was attacked. She was in the house alone with him, managed to escape and make it to the emergency room. Two days later she appears to be fine except for the obvious. This is a 9 year-old dog who is about as docile as can be. She had fed him a few times before. We are just so thankful she was not killed like this poor woman. I would be interested on how the attack happened.