1
00:00:00,667 --> 00:00:02,834
Dog bites are traumatizing.

2
00:00:02,900 --> 00:00:05,400
[narrator]
Now, on Tribunal Justice.

3
00:00:05,467 --> 00:00:09,233
The dog is jumping, snapping.
And that's when he bit me.

4
00:00:09,300 --> 00:00:12,166
I still believe that it is
partly on her.

5
00:00:13,266 --> 00:00:15,166
So, tell me what she should do.
Stay home?

6
00:00:15,233 --> 00:00:16,500
He had never done that before.

7
00:00:16,567 --> 00:00:19,133
That's a you problem,
not a her problem.

8
00:00:20,233 --> 00:00:22,600
-You had to put him down, is that correct?
-Yes.

9
00:00:24,166 --> 00:00:25,500
[theme music playing]

10
00:00:45,934 --> 00:00:48,734
[narrator] Today's case
was filed in Dade City, Florida.

11
00:00:49,533 --> 00:00:52,567
Your Honor, this is case number 3043
on the calendar

12
00:00:52,633 --> 00:00:54,433
in the matter of Johnson versus Pullen.

13
00:00:54,500 --> 00:00:56,333
-Thank you, Byrd.
-You're welcome, Judge.

14
00:00:56,400 --> 00:00:59,533
Parties have been sworn in.
You may be seated. Sir, have a seat.

15
00:00:59,600 --> 00:01:03,200
All right. Ms. Johnson,
you were walking on the sidewalk

16
00:01:03,266 --> 00:01:06,533
when the defendant was
walking her dog, and the dog bit you.

17
00:01:06,600 --> 00:01:07,600
Yes.

18
00:01:07,667 --> 00:01:08,800
[DiMango] And you missed work.

19
00:01:08,867 --> 00:01:11,734
You are also
suing her for the out-of-pocket expenses,

20
00:01:11,800 --> 00:01:14,967
and also a substantial amount of money
for pain and suffering.

21
00:01:15,033 --> 00:01:16,667
-Yes.
-[DiMango] Which you say you sustained

22
00:01:16,734 --> 00:01:20,166
as a result of this bite.
You're seeking $5,000.

23
00:01:20,233 --> 00:01:23,033
Ms. Pullen, your defense is two-fold.

24
00:01:23,100 --> 00:01:26,166
One; that she was
walking too close to the dog,

25
00:01:26,233 --> 00:01:30,300
and two; her injuries were minor,
and so her request for damages

26
00:01:30,367 --> 00:01:33,633
is disproportionate to that.
In any event, you owe her nothing.

27
00:01:33,700 --> 00:01:34,700
[Riley]
Yes, ma'am.

28
00:01:34,767 --> 00:01:36,866
So, let's put up the picture of Brady.

29
00:01:36,934 --> 00:01:38,000
What type of dog?

30
00:01:38,066 --> 00:01:39,366
[Riley]
A Black Lab mix.

31
00:01:39,433 --> 00:01:40,934
[DiMango]
And what's it mixed with?

32
00:01:41,000 --> 00:01:42,667
Um, I'm not sure.

33
00:01:42,734 --> 00:01:44,934
[DiMango] Really?
That's unusual for pet owners.

34
00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:46,934
Does your significant other know?

35
00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:48,467
What's it mixed with?

36
00:01:48,533 --> 00:01:51,667
He was a Black Lab,
a Staffy and a Pit Bull.

37
00:01:51,734 --> 00:01:54,066
[DiMango] Yeah, see,
I knew you were gonna say that.

38
00:01:54,133 --> 00:01:57,967
Because people are always hesitant
when their dogs bite someone

39
00:01:58,033 --> 00:02:00,700
to admit that it's a Pit Bull mix.

40
00:02:00,767 --> 00:02:04,166
Right off the bat, you start off
in a bad place when you're not candid.

41
00:02:04,233 --> 00:02:07,533
Just to be honest with you.
So, how long had you owned the dog?

42
00:02:07,600 --> 00:02:11,266
At that time, we had gotten him
in March of the previous year.

43
00:02:11,333 --> 00:02:13,867
So, about a year and a half, I believe.

44
00:02:13,934 --> 00:02:17,934
All right. So now,
let's put up the photograph ten.

45
00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:20,533
Was that the area where you were walking,
Ms. Johnson?

46
00:02:20,600 --> 00:02:22,900
-Yes, ma'am.
-[DiMango] So, why don't you

47
00:02:22,966 --> 00:02:25,567
start by showing us where your house was,
if you can.

48
00:02:25,633 --> 00:02:29,667
So, my house is about five houses down
from the corner.

49
00:02:29,734 --> 00:02:32,066
-[DiMango] Mm-hmm.
-So, I came out my house,

50
00:02:32,133 --> 00:02:33,834
because my son was playing.
I told him

51
00:02:33,900 --> 00:02:36,200
to come inside
when the sun started going down.

52
00:02:36,266 --> 00:02:39,400
He did not answer his phone.
So, I went out to get him.

53
00:02:39,466 --> 00:02:41,600
I'm walking down my street.

54
00:02:41,667 --> 00:02:45,633
This is the stop sign.
I come to the stop sign and take a right.

55
00:02:45,700 --> 00:02:50,900
As I'm walking, I see her dog
about 25 feet in front of me.

56
00:02:50,966 --> 00:02:55,767
Um, her dog immediately sees me
and starts barking.

57
00:02:55,834 --> 00:03:01,066
She was in the sidewalk,
in the grass, picking up his poop.

58
00:03:01,133 --> 00:03:05,266
And he sees me, and he immediately starts
getting agitated. He started barking.

59
00:03:05,333 --> 00:03:10,500
And I move further
to the right-hand side of the sidewalk,

60
00:03:10,567 --> 00:03:12,567
-just to avoid--
-[DiMango] Pause a second.

61
00:03:12,633 --> 00:03:13,600
Is that true?

62
00:03:13,667 --> 00:03:15,934
Yes. I was turned. The grass is over here.

63
00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:19,367
With my right hand, I was... I had the bag
and I was trying to clean up--

64
00:03:19,433 --> 00:03:20,966
[DiMango]
Your left hand was with the leash.

65
00:03:21,033 --> 00:03:22,166
In the leash. Yes, ma'am.

66
00:03:22,233 --> 00:03:23,834
So, how long was your leash?

67
00:03:23,900 --> 00:03:26,934
I don't know the exact measure,
maybe five, six feet.

68
00:03:27,000 --> 00:03:30,567
It's like a standard rope leash.
Um, and I had the handle on,

69
00:03:30,633 --> 00:03:33,033
and then I had it wrapped
around my wrist a couple times.

70
00:03:33,100 --> 00:03:35,633
So, he was maybe
this amount away from me.

71
00:03:35,700 --> 00:03:37,700
-He was still on the sidewalk.
-Mm-hmm.

72
00:03:37,767 --> 00:03:40,367
So, he was on the sidewalk;
I was somewhat on the sidewalk

73
00:03:40,433 --> 00:03:43,466
and the grass is here.
So, we were taking up most of that area.

74
00:03:43,533 --> 00:03:44,800
Is that accurate, ma'am?

75
00:03:44,867 --> 00:03:50,033
Right. So, as I'm still approaching,
the dog is jumping, snapping, agitated.

76
00:03:50,100 --> 00:03:52,066
-Mm-hmm.
-[Samantha] And as I'm passing,

77
00:03:52,133 --> 00:03:54,800
he snapped up again,
and that's when he bit me.

78
00:03:54,867 --> 00:03:56,033
[DiMango]
Accurate?

79
00:03:56,100 --> 00:03:59,333
I believe that it occurred
when she was like directly next to us.

80
00:03:59,400 --> 00:04:02,533
I don't believe that she had passed
and cleared us completely.

81
00:04:02,600 --> 00:04:05,000
That's what you think.
She's not saying she cleared you either.

82
00:04:05,066 --> 00:04:08,533
So, the dog then bites your calf.
What happens to you at that moment?

83
00:04:08,600 --> 00:04:10,533
-At that moment, I screamed.
-[DiMango] Okay.

84
00:04:10,600 --> 00:04:12,533
I screamed. It was a lot of pain.

85
00:04:12,600 --> 00:04:15,567
So, I immediately just screamed
and yelled.

86
00:04:15,633 --> 00:04:19,132
Let's show Plaintiff's One.
Is that the bite that you received?

87
00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:20,466
Yes, ma'am.

88
00:04:20,533 --> 00:04:23,166
[DiMango] And then,
is that during the recovery stage?

89
00:04:23,233 --> 00:04:24,233
[Samantha]
Yes, ma'am.

90
00:04:24,300 --> 00:04:26,467
Were you limited in what you could do
after the bite?

91
00:04:26,533 --> 00:04:29,332
I was. After the initial bite,
I could not move.

92
00:04:29,400 --> 00:04:31,066
My leg started to numb.

93
00:04:31,133 --> 00:04:33,834
You were treated at the hospital.
They gave you a tetanus shot.

94
00:04:33,900 --> 00:04:35,967
-And they gave you some medication.
-[Samantha] Yes, ma'am.

95
00:04:36,033 --> 00:04:37,834
-How much work did you miss?
-Two days.

96
00:04:37,900 --> 00:04:41,767
Now, did you attempt to get some money
from the defendant as a result of this?

97
00:04:41,834 --> 00:04:44,332
Yes, ma'am. On Exhibit Five,

98
00:04:44,400 --> 00:04:46,834
in the text messages
between me and the defendant,

99
00:04:46,900 --> 00:04:49,734
you can see where I actually
reached out to her.

100
00:04:49,800 --> 00:04:54,100
I did see that. Where you say,
call my lawyer, basically, right?

101
00:04:54,166 --> 00:04:57,266
You did not want to give her
any remuneration for her expenses.

102
00:04:57,332 --> 00:04:59,600
-Is that correct?
-At the time of the incident,

103
00:04:59,667 --> 00:05:03,400
right when it occurred, I did tell her
we would cover any medical expenses.

104
00:05:03,467 --> 00:05:05,567
-[DiMango] Did she tell you that? Okay.
-She did.

105
00:05:05,633 --> 00:05:09,300
And then, I was not contacted again
until it was through a lawyer.

106
00:05:09,367 --> 00:05:12,800
And then, at that point, I was recommended
by friends of mine who are lawyers

107
00:05:12,867 --> 00:05:15,834
to say that any communication
should go through legal counsel,

108
00:05:15,900 --> 00:05:17,867
as to not put myself
in a bad situation.

109
00:05:17,934 --> 00:05:19,166
[DiMango]
You do say that here.

110
00:05:19,233 --> 00:05:21,667
My legal counsel
sent a demand letter to your homeowners.

111
00:05:21,734 --> 00:05:23,900
They said they don't cover that.
You respond,

112
00:05:23,967 --> 00:05:27,066
hello, after further consideration,
I'm open to discussing

113
00:05:27,133 --> 00:05:29,633
a potential reimbursement
for any medical fees

114
00:05:29,700 --> 00:05:33,567
directly incurred for this incident.
Given the minimal nature of the injury,

115
00:05:33,633 --> 00:05:36,900
we'd like to keep the focus
on covering specific medical expenses

116
00:05:36,967 --> 00:05:39,967
rather than a broader settlement
for pain and suffering.

117
00:05:40,033 --> 00:05:42,834
Can you please provide
any medical documents, etc.?

118
00:05:42,900 --> 00:05:45,033
She has a permanent scar on her leg.

119
00:05:45,100 --> 00:05:47,000
-Would you agree?
-Yes.

120
00:05:47,066 --> 00:05:49,567
[DiMango] Do you think
that is something that a young woman

121
00:05:49,633 --> 00:05:53,467
like her, statuesque, beautiful,
nice legs,

122
00:05:53,533 --> 00:05:56,166
would really want to walk around
with a scar on her leg?

123
00:05:56,233 --> 00:05:58,000
No, I presume she does not.

124
00:05:58,066 --> 00:06:03,367
I also don't believe
that it is due for the $5,000

125
00:06:03,433 --> 00:06:06,300
of pain and suffering
for something that minimal.

126
00:06:06,367 --> 00:06:10,567
It's minimal why? Because she didn't have
a chunk of her leg pulled out?

127
00:06:10,633 --> 00:06:12,200
[dramatic music playing]

128
00:06:12,266 --> 00:06:14,600
[narrator]
Coming up on Tribunal Justice.

129
00:06:14,667 --> 00:06:17,233
I'm just curious,
what was the amount you were looking for?

130
00:06:17,300 --> 00:06:18,433
[Samantha]
Fifteen hundred.

131
00:06:18,500 --> 00:06:20,367
Fifteen hundred bucks? [chuckles]

132
00:06:20,433 --> 00:06:22,800
You know what a jury
would've given her for that?

133
00:06:22,867 --> 00:06:24,233
[dramatic music playing]

134
00:06:25,332 --> 00:06:27,000
[theme music playing]

135
00:06:27,066 --> 00:06:29,767
[narrator] Samantha Johnson
claims a ferocious attack

136
00:06:29,834 --> 00:06:32,500
from Riley Pullen's dog
left her scarred for life.

137
00:06:32,567 --> 00:06:37,233
She's suing for $5,000 in medical bills,
lost wages, and pain and suffering.

138
00:06:37,300 --> 00:06:40,734
But Riley says Samantha's injury
wasn't as severe as she's claiming

139
00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:43,332
and she's just looking
for an easy payday.

140
00:06:43,400 --> 00:06:46,834
Do you think that that is something
that a young woman like her,

141
00:06:46,900 --> 00:06:50,233
statuesque, beautiful, nice legs,

142
00:06:50,300 --> 00:06:52,767
would really want to walk around
with a scar on her leg?

143
00:06:52,834 --> 00:06:57,400
No, I presume she does not.
I also, I don't believe that it...

144
00:06:57,467 --> 00:07:03,400
is due for the $5,000 of pain and
suffering for something that minimal.

145
00:07:03,467 --> 00:07:07,433
It's minimal why? Because she didn't have
a chunk of her leg pulled out?

146
00:07:07,500 --> 00:07:11,000
Yeah, from what I could see
at the incident, I did not see any blood.

147
00:07:11,066 --> 00:07:13,567
The paramedic told me
that she was putting on a show,

148
00:07:13,633 --> 00:07:16,467
and that the bite looked like
a five- to ten-pound dog did it.

149
00:07:16,533 --> 00:07:19,233
[DiMango] Let me stop.
A five- to ten-pound dog did it.

150
00:07:19,300 --> 00:07:21,633
Is your dog visibly five to ten pounds?

151
00:07:21,700 --> 00:07:23,166
[Riley]
No, he's not. He was saying...

152
00:07:23,233 --> 00:07:25,567
[DiMango] Come on.
No, stop a second.

153
00:07:25,633 --> 00:07:29,266
Because there are some reports
in the file, Animal Control report.

154
00:07:29,332 --> 00:07:31,467
There's a scale,
it's called the Dunbar Scale.

155
00:07:31,533 --> 00:07:33,834
And that's a scale
of the radius of dog bites,

156
00:07:33,900 --> 00:07:36,967
beginning with a dog just growling
and being aggressive

157
00:07:37,033 --> 00:07:39,933
to a dog actually mauling
and killing someone.

158
00:07:40,000 --> 00:07:44,700
On this six-level scale,
this bite was a four.

159
00:07:44,767 --> 00:07:48,900
Meaning that it broke her skin
and that the depth of some of those marks

160
00:07:48,967 --> 00:07:52,332
were at least half the length
of the dog's tooth.

161
00:07:52,400 --> 00:07:56,367
So, let's dispel the notion
that some paramedic that shows up

162
00:07:56,433 --> 00:07:58,266
says, oh, that doesn't look too bad to me.

163
00:07:58,332 --> 00:08:01,367
Because I have to tell you,
having a dog bite you

164
00:08:01,433 --> 00:08:05,166
is, at the least, traumatizing.
Would you say, Ms. Johnson?

165
00:08:05,233 --> 00:08:07,767
Yes, ma'am.
Every day I have to relive it

166
00:08:07,834 --> 00:08:10,233
because the scar is still there. So...

167
00:08:10,300 --> 00:08:14,967
[DiMango] I mean, having been bitten
by a dog with one bite,

168
00:08:15,033 --> 00:08:19,266
my whole body was shaking that day.
Shaking as a result.

169
00:08:19,332 --> 00:08:22,567
When I walk past a dog now,
I'm still very careful when I see that,

170
00:08:22,633 --> 00:08:24,734
especially if I see growling.

171
00:08:24,800 --> 00:08:27,667
Now, what did you end up doing
with Brady? What happened here?

172
00:08:27,734 --> 00:08:32,533
Um, so, unfortunately, after...
Um, sorry.

173
00:08:33,799 --> 00:08:35,734
Unfortunately, after this incident,

174
00:08:35,799 --> 00:08:39,033
he started showing
more aggressive behaviors.

175
00:08:39,100 --> 00:08:40,933
He had never done that before.

176
00:08:41,000 --> 00:08:43,700
Um, this was the first incidence
of any aggression.

177
00:08:43,767 --> 00:08:47,400
And so, we got a shock collar,
we got a muzzle,

178
00:08:47,467 --> 00:08:49,433
to try to do all of these things.

179
00:08:49,500 --> 00:08:55,500
And then, it was actually in November.
Um, he was at my parents' house...

180
00:08:55,567 --> 00:08:59,100
He went to be able to play and stuff
during the day while we were at work.

181
00:08:59,165 --> 00:09:01,133
Um, and through the fence...

182
00:09:01,200 --> 00:09:04,133
He bit another dog, correct?
He bit another dog's nose.

183
00:09:04,200 --> 00:09:06,500
-And that dog required stitches.
-Yes.

184
00:09:06,567 --> 00:09:09,233
As a result of that second bite,
you had to put him down.

185
00:09:09,300 --> 00:09:11,033
-Is that correct?
-Yes, that's correct.

186
00:09:11,100 --> 00:09:12,166
[DiMango]
Who put him down?

187
00:09:12,233 --> 00:09:15,100
Um, we did. We had a vet
who came to the house.

188
00:09:15,166 --> 00:09:17,066
-Came to the house and put him down?
-[Riley] Yes.

189
00:09:17,133 --> 00:09:19,700
Okay. Thank you very much.
And I'm sorry you had to do that

190
00:09:19,767 --> 00:09:22,533
because I do know that that's painful
no matter what you see.

191
00:09:22,600 --> 00:09:25,367
It's like saying you have a bad kid
and you say, but I still love him.

192
00:09:25,433 --> 00:09:27,133
-I get it. Judge Levy?
-Yes.

193
00:09:27,200 --> 00:09:29,867
Thank you. So, Ms. Pullen,
if I understand you correctly,

194
00:09:29,934 --> 00:09:33,600
after your dog
viciously bit the plaintiff,

195
00:09:33,667 --> 00:09:36,165
he started showing
additional signs of aggression?

196
00:09:36,233 --> 00:09:37,500
Yes. Yes, that's correct.

197
00:09:37,567 --> 00:09:40,867
And that's when you decided
to put a shock collar on him?

198
00:09:40,934 --> 00:09:41,867
Yes.

199
00:09:41,934 --> 00:09:44,533
[Levy] Showing additional signs
of aggression by you on your dog

200
00:09:44,600 --> 00:09:49,500
as opposed to simply getting your dog
some behavioral modification therapy.

201
00:09:49,567 --> 00:09:52,633
So, there was a vibrate function,
and we did that.

202
00:09:52,700 --> 00:09:55,433
And any time he showed
any inkling of a growl or anything,

203
00:09:55,500 --> 00:09:57,467
we did that,
and it would correct his behavior.

204
00:09:57,533 --> 00:09:59,533
You're not a dog behavioral therapist,
are you?

205
00:09:59,600 --> 00:10:01,000
[Riley]
I'm not claiming to be. No, sir.

206
00:10:01,066 --> 00:10:03,200
Right. Exactly. It was more
of a rhetorical question.

207
00:10:03,266 --> 00:10:04,900
Who's the gentleman sitting to your left?

208
00:10:04,967 --> 00:10:07,667
-That's my husband.
-[Levy] Okay. You can step up.

209
00:10:07,734 --> 00:10:11,400
Why didn't you decide after the first bite
to have an expert come in

210
00:10:11,467 --> 00:10:14,867
and to provide
some type of treatment for him

211
00:10:14,934 --> 00:10:18,333
so he'd be safe around other people
and other dogs?

212
00:10:18,400 --> 00:10:21,667
Um, we are on one income.

213
00:10:21,734 --> 00:10:25,200
He's never shown any sign of aggression
until this happened.

214
00:10:25,266 --> 00:10:28,867
And we don't have the funds to,
unfortunately,

215
00:10:28,934 --> 00:10:30,834
you know, pay for something like that.

216
00:10:30,900 --> 00:10:33,000
[Levy] Listen,
it's a big financial responsibility.

217
00:10:33,066 --> 00:10:36,433
Because in your state, it's strict
liability applies to dog bite cases.

218
00:10:36,500 --> 00:10:38,133
-You know that, right?
-Yes.

219
00:10:38,200 --> 00:10:41,900
And I don't wanna ruin anything,
but my sense is

220
00:10:41,967 --> 00:10:44,433
that what you're gonna end up
having to pay in this case

221
00:10:44,500 --> 00:10:47,300
is gonna be a heck of a lot more
than what you would've paid

222
00:10:47,367 --> 00:10:49,567
to treat your dog with love and respect

223
00:10:49,633 --> 00:10:52,467
by getting a professional dog trainer
in there.

224
00:10:52,533 --> 00:10:53,633
You hear what I'm saying?

225
00:10:53,700 --> 00:10:54,734
Yes, I hear you.

226
00:10:54,800 --> 00:10:56,967
'Cause you were there.
You saw that bite mark, right?

227
00:10:57,033 --> 00:10:59,033
Can we put that up? Oh-one, please?

228
00:10:59,100 --> 00:11:01,900
I'm just curious. What was
the amount you were looking for?

229
00:11:01,967 --> 00:11:03,200
[Samantha]
Fifteen hundred.

230
00:11:03,266 --> 00:11:07,300
Fifteen hundred bucks? [chuckles]
Fifteen hundred bucks?

231
00:11:07,367 --> 00:11:09,867
You know what a jury
would've given her for that?

232
00:11:09,934 --> 00:11:12,600
A heck of a lot more than 1,500 bucks.

233
00:11:12,667 --> 00:11:16,200
Respectfully, I was going off of
the information that I had at the time.

234
00:11:16,266 --> 00:11:18,133
-I've never...
-You had this information!

235
00:11:18,200 --> 00:11:21,200
I did not. I never saw that picture
until minutes ago.

236
00:11:21,266 --> 00:11:22,834
The reason you didn't have
that information is

237
00:11:22,900 --> 00:11:25,834
because you chose not to ask for it.
That's not her fault.

238
00:11:25,900 --> 00:11:30,233
That right there is worth pain
and suffering and emotional distress.

239
00:11:30,300 --> 00:11:32,967
That's a you problem,
not a her problem.

240
00:11:33,033 --> 00:11:34,500
[dramatic music playing]

241
00:11:34,567 --> 00:11:36,767
[narrator]
Coming up on Tribunal Justice.

242
00:11:36,834 --> 00:11:38,834
I'm not trying to excuse what happened...

243
00:11:38,900 --> 00:11:40,367
[Acker]
You are trying to excuse it.

244
00:11:40,433 --> 00:11:42,133
Then you should've crossed the street.

245
00:11:42,200 --> 00:11:43,900
Ma'am, please quiet down.

246
00:11:43,967 --> 00:11:45,800
But I'm gonna repeat what she just said.

247
00:11:45,867 --> 00:11:47,767
Maybe you should've crossed the street.

248
00:11:47,834 --> 00:11:49,500
[dramatic music playing]

249
00:11:50,533 --> 00:11:52,200
[main theme playing]

250
00:11:52,266 --> 00:11:54,934
[narrator] Samantha Johnson
says she has a permanent scar

251
00:11:55,000 --> 00:11:57,767
after Riley Pullen's dog
viciously bit her.

252
00:11:57,834 --> 00:12:01,667
She's suing for $5,000 in medical bills
plus pain and suffering.

253
00:12:01,734 --> 00:12:04,266
Riley claims Samantha
is overreacting

254
00:12:04,333 --> 00:12:08,233
and she's also to blame
for aggressively approaching her dog.

255
00:12:08,300 --> 00:12:09,900
According to your complaint,

256
00:12:09,967 --> 00:12:12,266
you say on September 11th,
the day after this incident,

257
00:12:12,333 --> 00:12:13,934
-you called an attorney.
-[Samantha] Yes.

258
00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:15,834
[Levy] I want you to tell me
what that lawyer said.

259
00:12:15,900 --> 00:12:17,567
She said, in the state of Florida,

260
00:12:17,633 --> 00:12:22,033
if the dog bit me on public property,
which is the street sidewalk,

261
00:12:22,100 --> 00:12:25,233
homeowners insurance
does not have to cover the bite.

262
00:12:25,300 --> 00:12:27,867
Do you understand what that really means
in context?

263
00:12:27,934 --> 00:12:31,066
To me, it means you just outta luck.
You just...

264
00:12:31,133 --> 00:12:33,033
[Levy]
No. Cassandra?

265
00:12:33,100 --> 00:12:35,165
[Britt]
She's lookin' for her payday.

266
00:12:35,233 --> 00:12:37,734
She's trying to go for the big dog,
not the little dog.

267
00:12:37,800 --> 00:12:40,066
And that's why she didn't want your case.

268
00:12:40,133 --> 00:12:41,600
-Right?
-[Samantha] Right.

269
00:12:41,667 --> 00:12:43,367
[Levy]
You got liability locked in.

270
00:12:43,433 --> 00:12:45,000
-Fifty grand.
-[Samantha] Mm.

271
00:12:45,066 --> 00:12:48,767
Fifty grand. And she's supposed to get
a third of that judgment.

272
00:12:48,834 --> 00:12:51,900
But that judgment is uncollectible
'cause they don't have the money.

273
00:12:51,967 --> 00:12:53,834
-Did she explain that to you?
-[Samantha] No.

274
00:12:53,900 --> 00:12:55,667
That's why lawyers have bad names.

275
00:12:55,734 --> 00:12:57,633
-Judge Acker.
-[Acker] Thank you, Judge.

276
00:12:57,700 --> 00:13:01,400
-Ms. Johnson, may I just see your leg?
-Yes, ma'am.

277
00:13:01,467 --> 00:13:04,033
[Acker]
And can we please put up on the screen

278
00:13:04,100 --> 00:13:09,233
the photograph of the plaintiff's injury
five months after the incident?

279
00:13:10,633 --> 00:13:13,300
-Can you point to it, please?
-[Samantha] Yes, I can.

280
00:13:13,367 --> 00:13:15,233
[Acker]
It's so apparent.

281
00:13:15,300 --> 00:13:16,533
Thank you, ma'am.

282
00:13:16,600 --> 00:13:18,767
Are you treating it?
Are you doing anything for it?

283
00:13:18,834 --> 00:13:23,800
Because I think a scar on darker skin
takes a long time to heal.

284
00:13:23,867 --> 00:13:26,367
You're going to have that scar
for some time,

285
00:13:26,433 --> 00:13:28,133
-unfortunately.
-Absolutely, I know.

286
00:13:28,200 --> 00:13:29,834
[Acker]
And I'm quite sorry about that.

287
00:13:29,900 --> 00:13:32,533
Ms. Pullen, I'd like
to dig into your defense a bit.

288
00:13:32,600 --> 00:13:37,133
I'm just gonna quote you.
"I do not owe the plaintiff anything

289
00:13:37,200 --> 00:13:40,000
because she could've prevented
her injury."

290
00:13:40,066 --> 00:13:42,033
So, tell me what she should do,
stay home?

291
00:13:42,100 --> 00:13:45,567
No. So, what I was saying was
in that situation, my hands were full.

292
00:13:45,633 --> 00:13:48,600
I had the dog.
I'm not trying to excuse what happened--

293
00:13:48,667 --> 00:13:50,133
[Acker]
You are trying to excuse it.

294
00:13:50,200 --> 00:13:51,834
Maybe you should've crossed the street.

295
00:13:51,900 --> 00:13:53,600
Ma'am, please quiet down.

296
00:13:53,667 --> 00:13:55,533
But I'm gonna repeat
what she just said.

297
00:13:55,600 --> 00:13:57,333
Maybe you should've crossed the street.

298
00:13:57,400 --> 00:14:00,533
Maybe you should've
kept better control of your dog.

299
00:14:00,600 --> 00:14:03,467
Now, in your answer,
you said something I found so curious.

300
00:14:03,533 --> 00:14:08,266
You said, "Samantha approached us
with her arms crossed."

301
00:14:08,333 --> 00:14:09,800
What does that even mean?

302
00:14:09,867 --> 00:14:11,834
Is she supposed to walk
in a straight line,

303
00:14:11,900 --> 00:14:13,800
make sure
that she doesn't scare your dog?

304
00:14:13,867 --> 00:14:17,333
I was wracking my brain and I thought
that's the only thing I could think is

305
00:14:17,400 --> 00:14:20,233
maybe because her arms were crossed,
he thought to be defensive.

306
00:14:20,300 --> 00:14:22,700
That was my only reasoning
I could try to think of

307
00:14:22,767 --> 00:14:26,467
because he had never done that before.
I was in no way trying to blame her.

308
00:14:26,533 --> 00:14:29,200
[Acker]
I'm a dog owner. I love my dogs.

309
00:14:29,266 --> 00:14:31,600
It would tear me up
if I had to put them down.

310
00:14:31,667 --> 00:14:35,633
But I also cannot imagine
being so callous

311
00:14:35,700 --> 00:14:39,700
as to see my dogs attack somebody
and say, ooh, that's minor.

312
00:14:39,767 --> 00:14:41,633
You should've just gotten out of my way.

313
00:14:41,700 --> 00:14:44,367
I understand we have an expert witness.

314
00:14:44,433 --> 00:14:48,066
Good morning, ma'am. Could you
please state your name for the record?

315
00:14:48,133 --> 00:14:49,165
Tiffany Boehmer.

316
00:14:49,233 --> 00:14:50,767
[Acker]
And what do you do, ma'am?

317
00:14:50,834 --> 00:14:52,700
I'm a veterinary technician,

318
00:14:52,767 --> 00:14:55,333
and also teach puppy training classes.

319
00:14:55,400 --> 00:14:58,467
[Acker] How many years
have you been in practice?

320
00:14:58,533 --> 00:14:59,567
Twenty.

321
00:14:59,633 --> 00:15:02,266
Have you listened to the testimony
thus far?

322
00:15:02,333 --> 00:15:03,300
I have.

323
00:15:03,367 --> 00:15:06,867
You heard the defendants testify
about their efforts

324
00:15:06,934 --> 00:15:10,600
to correct the dog's behavior
after the attack.

325
00:15:10,667 --> 00:15:14,166
Do you have any professional opinion
about those tactics?

326
00:15:14,233 --> 00:15:17,200
Uh, I agree with
what the judge was stating

327
00:15:17,266 --> 00:15:20,333
as far as, you know,
placing a shock collar,

328
00:15:20,400 --> 00:15:26,000
if the shock was used or not,
can actually create more anxiety,

329
00:15:26,066 --> 00:15:29,100
and sometimes, you know,
make them more defensive

330
00:15:29,166 --> 00:15:30,800
and become more aggressive.

331
00:15:30,867 --> 00:15:36,567
Um, a muzzle is definitely good
if you're trying to prevent these bites,

332
00:15:36,633 --> 00:15:40,333
but without proper training, um,

333
00:15:40,400 --> 00:15:44,066
positive reinforcement,
that's what I would have done.

334
00:15:44,133 --> 00:15:47,600
As a dog trainer,
what would be your recommendation

335
00:15:47,667 --> 00:15:50,934
for how to best handle
or manage a situation

336
00:15:51,000 --> 00:15:52,734
when you have a dog that seems

337
00:15:52,800 --> 00:15:56,100
to be demonstrating
aggressive behaviors such as this?

338
00:15:56,165 --> 00:16:00,967
I would not take him out in public

339
00:16:01,033 --> 00:16:04,667
when other people are
usually walking around.

340
00:16:04,734 --> 00:16:08,000
You can take them out
either very early or very late.

341
00:16:08,066 --> 00:16:11,600
You know, just to try
to avoid people and situations.

342
00:16:11,667 --> 00:16:13,033
[Acker]
Thank you, ma'am.

343
00:16:13,100 --> 00:16:15,166
My colleagues may have
other questions for you,

344
00:16:15,233 --> 00:16:18,633
but before I pass the case...
Just so we're clear,

345
00:16:18,700 --> 00:16:21,200
when I read your answer
and you say things like,

346
00:16:21,266 --> 00:16:23,600
the plaintiff could've avoided it.

347
00:16:23,667 --> 00:16:25,533
Are you pulling back a bit from that

348
00:16:25,600 --> 00:16:27,900
now that you see
the extent of her injuries?

349
00:16:27,967 --> 00:16:32,100
I still believe that it is partly on her
for that, yes.

350
00:16:32,165 --> 00:16:35,100
[Acker] It's still your defense
as you stand here today.

351
00:16:35,165 --> 00:16:37,500
Or, again, you know what, ma'am?
You know what, Ms. Johnson?

352
00:16:37,567 --> 00:16:41,300
Maybe you should just stay home
and ask for permission to leave the house.

353
00:16:41,367 --> 00:16:42,734
I have nothing further.

354
00:16:42,800 --> 00:16:44,333
[DiMango]
One question I have for you.

355
00:16:44,400 --> 00:16:47,867
The dog was euthanized, obviously.
Before euthanization,

356
00:16:47,934 --> 00:16:52,867
are there things that people usually do
in order to prevent euthanization?

357
00:16:52,934 --> 00:16:54,767
Yes, absolutely.

358
00:16:54,834 --> 00:16:59,867
Um, we never just jump right
to behavioral euthanasia.

359
00:16:59,934 --> 00:17:01,900
I mean, it's something that does happen.

360
00:17:01,967 --> 00:17:07,233
But we do always recommend training,
um, first and foremost.

361
00:17:07,300 --> 00:17:11,834
Um, and sometimes,
some drug therapies, depending.

362
00:17:11,900 --> 00:17:14,099
[DiMango]
I thank you very much for your time.

363
00:17:14,165 --> 00:17:15,900
I don't have
any further questions of anyone.

364
00:17:15,967 --> 00:17:17,467
I don't know if anybody else does.

365
00:17:17,532 --> 00:17:20,066
I just want to clear up the record though.
Ms. Johnson,

366
00:17:20,133 --> 00:17:22,165
prior to coming in today,
you, like the defendant,

367
00:17:22,233 --> 00:17:25,400
presented the court with evidence
to support your request

368
00:17:25,467 --> 00:17:28,133
for medical expenses and lost wages.
Did you not?

369
00:17:28,200 --> 00:17:29,867
-Yes.
-[Levy] Thank you. We have those.

370
00:17:29,934 --> 00:17:31,166
We'll be looking at those in back.

371
00:17:31,233 --> 00:17:33,600
Thank you very much.
Sir, you can resume your seat,

372
00:17:33,667 --> 00:17:35,667
and we will retire
to deliberate at this time.

373
00:17:35,734 --> 00:17:36,800
-Thank you.
-[Samantha] Thank you.

374
00:17:36,867 --> 00:17:39,266
Court stands in recess.
This case will be recalled.

375
00:17:39,333 --> 00:17:41,667
Parties are excused.
You may step out.

376
00:17:41,734 --> 00:17:45,133
[dramatic music playing]

377
00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:49,300
[main theme playing]

378
00:17:50,533 --> 00:17:54,567
I really feel for her.
I think her pain and suffering is real.

379
00:17:54,633 --> 00:17:57,667
I'm telling you, I had a bite
much less than that

380
00:17:57,734 --> 00:18:01,233
and literally, you start to shake
because your body is in shock

381
00:18:01,300 --> 00:18:05,000
from what's happened.
And she has keloids. She has a scar.

382
00:18:05,066 --> 00:18:07,266
And I'm gonna tell you,
it's gonna be for life.

383
00:18:07,333 --> 00:18:10,633
I don't care what creams she's putting on
and how she's treating it.

384
00:18:10,700 --> 00:18:12,934
And the pain and suffering,
not only just now,

385
00:18:13,000 --> 00:18:15,633
but at the time of the incident,
and then, having to deal with

386
00:18:15,700 --> 00:18:18,600
the "I don't want to pay you,
I don't think you deserve any money,

387
00:18:18,667 --> 00:18:20,200
have a lawyer call me"

388
00:18:20,266 --> 00:18:22,700
I think was above and beyond
what she needed to go through

389
00:18:22,767 --> 00:18:26,433
on top of this incident,
having done nothing at all

390
00:18:26,500 --> 00:18:29,000
to provoke this
or prompt any kind of bite.

391
00:18:29,066 --> 00:18:32,600
So, I'm willing to not only reimburse her
for her out-of-pocket medical,

392
00:18:32,667 --> 00:18:37,433
which was about $284, her lost wages,
which was $400 and something,

393
00:18:37,500 --> 00:18:39,367
but I think above and beyond that,

394
00:18:39,433 --> 00:18:42,033
her request for pain and suffering
was too low.

395
00:18:42,100 --> 00:18:45,300
She did not speak with an attorney
who properly advised her.

396
00:18:45,367 --> 00:18:49,133
And I therefore feel
we should elevate that amount to $10,000,

397
00:18:49,200 --> 00:18:52,500
and pay her
for what truly happened here.

398
00:18:52,567 --> 00:18:53,600
[Levy] I couldn't agree more.

399
00:18:53,667 --> 00:18:56,700
The emotional scar is gonna be with her
for the rest of her life.

400
00:18:56,767 --> 00:18:58,734
You know, the defendants,

401
00:18:58,800 --> 00:19:02,333
they started off doing the right thing
when they adopted a rescue.

402
00:19:02,400 --> 00:19:05,333
And probably was showing
certain signs of aggression.

403
00:19:05,400 --> 00:19:07,400
I feel that too.

404
00:19:07,467 --> 00:19:09,333
I think it's fair to say this dog
just didn't start

405
00:19:09,400 --> 00:19:12,934
after they had it one and a half years
to start showing signs of aggression.

406
00:19:13,000 --> 00:19:15,967
You gotta get it socialized.
You gotta bring in an expert

407
00:19:16,033 --> 00:19:18,233
to assist with some type
of behavioral therapy.

408
00:19:18,300 --> 00:19:21,166
And you know what,
if you don't have the money to do that...

409
00:19:21,233 --> 00:19:22,367
You shouldn't have a dog.

410
00:19:22,433 --> 00:19:23,600
-Bingo.
-Right on.

411
00:19:23,667 --> 00:19:26,533
And I also thought that their defense
was pretty outrageous.

412
00:19:26,600 --> 00:19:30,100
I mean, to suggest that, one,
it wasn't so bad;

413
00:19:30,166 --> 00:19:34,266
and two, it was her responsibility
to dodge their animal.

414
00:19:34,333 --> 00:19:37,500
I thought that was pretty preposterous.
And you couple that with...

415
00:19:37,567 --> 00:19:39,400
I don't know if you guys
picked up on this,

416
00:19:39,467 --> 00:19:42,367
but it was almost like they were trying
to blame the plaintiff

417
00:19:42,433 --> 00:19:45,000
for the subsequent incident
that resulted in the dog...

418
00:19:45,066 --> 00:19:47,967
Like he was triggered.
Like the dog was triggered.

419
00:19:48,033 --> 00:19:50,066
I thought their position was preposterous.

420
00:19:50,133 --> 00:19:52,133
And I absolutely agree that she's entitled

421
00:19:52,200 --> 00:19:54,734
to everything that she can be awarded
in this courtroom.

422
00:19:54,800 --> 00:19:57,100
So, good. Ten thousand,
and we're all unanimous.

423
00:19:57,166 --> 00:19:58,467
-Great.
-Thank you.

424
00:19:58,533 --> 00:20:01,000
[dramatic music playing]

425
00:20:02,300 --> 00:20:03,633
Court is back in session.

426
00:20:03,700 --> 00:20:05,600
Parties are reminded
you're still under oath.

427
00:20:05,667 --> 00:20:07,600
[DiMango]
Thank you, Byrd.

428
00:20:07,667 --> 00:20:10,100
Dog bites are traumatizing.

429
00:20:10,166 --> 00:20:12,734
I know that feeling,
I know that experience.

430
00:20:12,800 --> 00:20:15,433
And we were very, very sympathetic
and empathetic

431
00:20:15,500 --> 00:20:18,967
to the plight that you endured
from the moment of this bite

432
00:20:19,033 --> 00:20:21,266
and how it has a lasting impact.

433
00:20:21,333 --> 00:20:23,700
I'm sure you have a certain pride
when you walk into a place.

434
00:20:23,767 --> 00:20:27,734
And now, to feel that you have
this keloid bite mark on your leg

435
00:20:27,800 --> 00:20:30,700
is really a very difficult thing
to live with.

436
00:20:30,767 --> 00:20:34,900
And I think you're gonna be living with it
no matter what you try to treat it with.

437
00:20:34,967 --> 00:20:37,467
And listen, nobody wants
to put their dog down.

438
00:20:37,533 --> 00:20:41,266
Nobody wants their dog to be vicious.
Nobody wants bad behavior.

439
00:20:41,333 --> 00:20:45,500
Bottom line here is,
there was really no, no defense

440
00:20:45,567 --> 00:20:48,500
that you could've interposed
to prevent you

441
00:20:48,567 --> 00:20:52,367
from at least accepting
her initial offer of $1,500.

442
00:20:52,433 --> 00:20:53,734
That would've ended it.

443
00:20:53,800 --> 00:20:56,400
But not only are we willing to give you
the amount of money

444
00:20:56,467 --> 00:21:00,066
that you've requested as relief
in this case for your injuries,

445
00:21:00,133 --> 00:21:04,333
but we are well aware that there are
many more things that you could do,

446
00:21:04,400 --> 00:21:06,166
both to heal yourself physically,

447
00:21:06,233 --> 00:21:08,400
or that you could do
to use additional money.

448
00:21:08,467 --> 00:21:11,300
-Yes.
-[DiMango] We're gonna give you $10,000.

449
00:21:11,367 --> 00:21:13,266
Thank you. Thank you, Your Honor.

450
00:21:13,333 --> 00:21:15,600
[DiMango] We are going to award you
$10,000 in this matter.

451
00:21:15,667 --> 00:21:18,300
And that is the unanimous verdict
of this court.

452
00:21:18,367 --> 00:21:19,834
-Thank you, thank you.
-[gavel bangs]

453
00:21:19,900 --> 00:21:21,834
-[DiMango] You're welcome.
-Court is now concluded.

454
00:21:21,900 --> 00:21:23,934
Parties are excused.
You may step out.

455
00:21:26,967 --> 00:21:29,533
I probably could've guessed
how it was gonna go down.

456
00:21:29,600 --> 00:21:31,633
Don't blame somebody else
for an injury

457
00:21:31,700 --> 00:21:34,367
that could've been avoided
had you crossed the street.

458
00:21:34,433 --> 00:21:37,200
I stand by our decision
and what we could do at the time.

459
00:21:37,266 --> 00:21:38,834
And we loved him very much.

460
00:21:38,900 --> 00:21:42,100
So, to have that questioned,
was very difficult.

461
00:21:42,166 --> 00:21:44,333
I cringe when I see a dog now.

462
00:21:44,400 --> 00:21:46,400
We're on his income.
I'm a full-time student.

463
00:21:46,467 --> 00:21:49,667
I'm working 40-hour weeks
and paying to go to school, so.

464
00:21:49,734 --> 00:21:51,033
Apparently that's my fault too.

465
00:21:51,100 --> 00:21:52,934
[narrator]
Are you being sued?

466
00:21:53,000 --> 00:21:56,066
Let Tribunal Justice decide your case.

467
00:21:56,133 --> 00:22:00,467
Find us on social media
at TribunalJustice.

468
00:22:00,533 --> 00:22:02,533
[theme music playing]