Dog Dies After Being Attacked At Piedmont Park

A local man said he is heartbroken after his canine companion died after being attacked by another dog at Piedmont Park. Now he wants that dog’s owner to pay, but the law is not on his side.

Jeff Harris has a memorial set up in his home, which is now infinitely quieter without his companion, Digby.

“It affects every aspect of my life because there is a huge void,” said Harris.

VIDEO: Dog Dies After Piedmont Park Attack

Harris said he remembers with vivid detail the day his 8-year-old chow was attacked by an American Bulldog at the Piedmont Dog Park.

“And when he got right to Digby, he just snapped and he went into full attack mode,” said Harris. “His canine teeth had ripped Digby from the top of his back all the way to his stomach. We were just pulling the dogs apart and the more we pulled, the more my dog was screaming.”

Harris rushed Digby to the vet hospital where his wound was cleaned and stapled shut. But Harris said the next several days were agonizing for both he and his dog.

“Every time he would exhale, he would cry. Each exhale he would cry,” said Harris.

Twelve days later, Digby died from bacterial buildup in his blood, tracing back to the other dog’s saliva.

Harris wants to sue the bulldog’s owners because of the pain and suffering both he and Digby endured. But in Georgia and other states, animals are considered property and a court will usually only award a plaintiff the worth of that property. In this case, Harris rescued Digby and paid $20 for him.

“I think there needs to be some kind of law or legislation, something so that the owner’s of the dog that was attacked have some type or recourse,” said Harris.

There is a push in Georgia and other states to change the laws so that punitive damages, such as pain and suffering, would apply. As it is, there are a number of cases nationwide where courts have awarded pet owners punitive damages.