Fall Caused by Dog Results in Large Arbitration Award

The Conn. Law Tribune reports that a woman who fell and suffered knee injuries that required multiple surgeries after a husky dog charged her poodle has received an arbitration award of over $220,000. Christine Elkins, a Meriden court reporter, was standing in her driveway with her poodle on a leash when her neighbor’s dog, a husky, headed for the poodle. At that point, the poodle entangled Elkins’ feet in the leash and crawled under her car, causing her to fall. The arbitrator awarded $272,737.16, which was reduced by prior award payments of $52,265.36. In addition, Mrs. Elkins’ husband received $12,000 in loss of consortium damages.