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Tuesday, December 18, 2007
The Scars of Angela Silva: The Enduring Effects of a Pit Bull Attack
 Scars Serve as Reminder of Good, Bad in Others
Fremont, CA - Angela Silva was attacked in her garage by a neighbor's pit bull last September. At the time, she was holding her son in her arms. To protect her son, she placed him in a nearby trashcan and endured the attack alone. Angela was left with serious wounds to both arms and debilitating injury to her left.
Lifelong physical scars:"These are my battle scars," Silva said, glancing down at the purplish marks that run down from her elbow. "I'm proud I was able to save my son's life. But they're also a reminder of people's ignorance and what happened to me that day. I know everything happens for a reason. But I'm just trying to find a reason for this." Psychological impact:
Four months after the attack, Angela continues to re-experience the attack in everyday activities."That horrific moment comes back each time a stranger stares at her gashes, or when it takes what seems like forever to click on hoop earrings or change TJ's diapers..." At DogsBite.org, she has taken the words from our mouth. These are the same words that many people do not hear -- the life of a victim after a vicious dog attack. Unless you are the victim of an attack or have witnessed one, it is nearly impossible to imagine how devastating and enduring the trauma is.
Since the attack, Angela has yet to take a walk outside. She has moved away from her previous home to position herself further from the dog owners too. Ms. Fernandez writes that Angela now "gets fresh air by sitting on her porch swing, surrounded by a new wooden fence."
Patient responsibility:
For once let's forget the term "owner responsibility." Let's instead focus on patient responsibility. This refers to the sizable sum you are responsible to pay the trauma facility after the attack. If you have medical insurance, you are still required to pay your deductible and coinsurance deductible (7k plus annually).
You pay this amount each year until the insurance case settles -- assuming there is a case to pursue at all. Many dog owners are not homeowners and do not have insurance that covers dog bites. To complicate matters further, homeowners insurance companies often refuse to insure dangerous dog breeds, most notably pit bull dogs. In the case of Angela, the community raised $12,000 dollars for her, which was quickly spent. One night in emergency care plus surgery to repair a single broken bone can be up to $20 thousand dollars. Multiple surgeries, follow up examinations, ex-rays and physical therapy can easily lead to $100 thousand dollars and beyond. You can give to the Angela Silva fund by sending a check here: Angela Silva FundFremont Bank Warm Springs Branch 46635 Mission Blvd. Fremont, Calif., 94539 What about criminal responsibility?The owners of the dog that attacked Angela, Charles Shelby Jr., and Kristi Willis are scheduled to appear in court soon. Each face two felony counts and a conspiracy count (they allegedly hid the dog from authorities for two days after the attack). The charges could send them to prison for three years.
DogsBite.org feels jail time should extend to 10 years. Angela's attack was no different than assault with a deadly weapon. The owners knew the dog was dangerous. Prior to the attack on Angela, the dog had been deemed "dangerous" by authorities because it had attacked a different neighbor. Just how many excuses should society give to such dog owners? |
posted by bitbypit | permalink |
3 comments
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3 comments:
None of the pit lovers ever leave comments on the victim stories...
by
1/19/2008 11:37 AM | Flag as abusive
There should be a Debtor's Prison set up for situations like this.
by
2/18/2008 4:54 PM | Flag as abusive
I can really relate to this story. I was mauled in 2006. The fear never goes away & I don't want it to. If you burn your hand on a stove you learn not to touch it. When you are mauled by a pit bull you learn what they are capable of. There is no doubt in my mind that dog wanted me dead. How could you not be afraid of that?
by
7/02/2008 3:03 PM | Flag as abusive
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