Ohio ruling puts more teeth into dog-bites lawsuits

COLUMBUS (AP) — A ruling from the Ohio Supreme Court could put more of a bite on dog owners taken to court for injuries caused by their animals.

In a case from Summit County, the court ruled 5-2 today that owners may be sued both under the state’s dog-bite law and for more general negligence.

The decision is a victory for the family of a 12-year-old girl who was mauled by a dog and was hurt on the head.

A trial judge had allowed the girl’s mother to sue the owners only under the dog-bite statute, limiting the money award in the case. The jury awarded compensatory damages of $5,000 for the girl’s medical bills and other costs.

The Supreme Court says the mother should also have been allowed to pursue a negligence claim and possible punitive damages.