A walk through a neighborhood park should not end at an emergency room or a veterinary clinic. For one South City family, a recent evening in Tower Grove Park ended both ways. The incident also raises practical questions about who is responsible when an owner loses control of a dog in a public space.
What Happened in Tower Grove Park
In early June, Beth Ewing was walking her four-year-old dog, Emmi, when two pit bulls attacked. One dog knocked her to the ground. The other went after Emmi, who died from her injuries before the family could get her the care she needed.
The two women with the dogs left before a park ranger arrived. According to First Alert 4 reporting, the city’s animal control division opened an investigation, but the dogs and their owners had not been identified at the time.
How Missouri Law Addresses Dog Attacks
Missouri does not follow the old “one bite” rule. Under Missouri’s dog bite statute, the owner or possessor of a dog that bites someone without provocation is strictly liable when the injured person was on public property or lawfully on private property. The dog’s history doesn’t matter. Neither does whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous.
The same law makes owners strictly liable for property damage their dogs cause. That matters in a case like this one, because Missouri generally treats pets as personal property.
When There Is No Bite
Not every injury in a dog attack comes from teeth.
People are knocked down, pulled off balance, or hurt while trying to protect a child or a pet. Those claims usually rest on negligence rather than strict liability. The city’s leash requirements for dogs call for a leash no longer than six feet, held by someone capable of controlling the animal. An owner who lets a dog break loose in a crowded park will have a difficult time arguing they acted with reasonable care.
When the Owner Cannot Be Found
Identifying the owner is often the first obstacle in a dog attack claim. That is one reason early action makes such a difference. Helpful steps include:
- Reporting the attack to animal control and park staff right away
- Collecting names and contact details from witnesses
- Photographing injuries, torn clothing, and the scene
- Keeping all medical and veterinary records and bills
- Asking nearby homes and businesses whether cameras recorded anything
Once the owner is located, a homeowner’s or renter’s policy may cover the loss. But insurers look closely at fault, since Missouri reduces recovery by the injured person’s share of responsibility.
Working With a St. Louis Dog Bite Lawyer
A dog attack case can involve medical expenses, lost income, physical pain, and the loss of an animal that was part of the family. Each piece depends on evidence. An attorney can gather that evidence, identify available coverage, and respond when an adjuster tries to minimize what happened.
Families facing these losses can speak with a St. Louis, MO dog bite lawyer about how Missouri law applies to their circumstances.
Speak With Our Team
Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols has represented injured people across Missouri for decades. If a dog attack has affected you or someone you love, contact our office today to discuss what happened and the options that may be available to you.