Update on everything
Sorry for not replying for a while, but had to take care of business, what with the school year starting (I teach HS), my dog needing care, my left hand still not able to close into a fist completely...
Our Condition:
Stalin:
Still has stitches in him. Very hard to remove dried blood as he his highly hydrophobic and will break his own stitches in order to get away from the hydrogen peroxide, water swab, etc. I have been waiting for them to dry, then peeling them off as best as I can. Wounds are dry, now, and drains have been removed. Turns out the "two" drains were actually one contiguous piece. Poor guy had 9 inches of rubber tubing in his body. He still has the funnel on him because I'm afraid he'll try to bite out his own stitches if I take it off. The funnel has rubbed off about 5 inches of fur in a band around his neck; his condition has been exacerbated by his skin condition which causes his snout to itch horribly. Since I can't give him his steroids anymore because of his injuries (steroids lower immune system), the poor guy has been trying to scratch his own nose but can't, and just winds up ripping out his own fur. When I'm home I can stop him but I have to work. He has lost a lot of weight, eats somewhat but I am not taking him out for walks anymore as he gets very exciting and winds up overexerting himself. More on street situtation later. Cost of care so far: >$1000
Me:
Hand still hurting when trying to fully fist. Wounds are dry and seem to be healing but there is a groove where I got cut. Hopefully it will fill out or lifting weights will not be in the near future. Looks like hell. Fingers still slightly swollen. >$500
I have two witnesses now, both of which will testify that I was not at fault at all. One is a neighbor, other is an out of town salesman from idaho.
The rottweiler is back. Neighbor reported to me today that during a walk with wife he saw the dog on lawn again, leashed with a clothesline to stake that the old guy had staked into the ground. He wisely chose to take his wife across the street instead of trusting his well being to a clothesline.
I went to talk to the old guy tonight at about 8. He apologied but when I started showing him documentation (he didn't get to keep any papers) he said that "I know my dog, he does not do anything... your dog must have jumped first.. I remember your dog jumped on my dog last year (when his dog was ALSO not on a leash)..." I told him that I can't pay anymore, that my doctor has recommended that I get his house insurance so they can file with them and nobody will have to pay anything.
He told me that the house is his daughter's (he may have transferred it recently.. he had disappeared with his dog for a week), and that he's an old man living off of social security with his wife who is also retired. He said that after he talks to his daughter, maybe he can do a "little something".
I thanked him for his time, and left quite angry. I understand that he may be telling the truth, but I cannot excuse him simply because he may not be wealthy. To put things in perspective, houses on my block are selling for $660-760K.
I talked to two lawyers, both of whom want me to find out if he has House Ins. I also need to find out the name of his daughter. No one will take the case if there is no deep pocket here. It is also unlikely that anyone will take the case if I do not suffer grievous life-shattering injury. I hope I don't, but at the same time I have roughly 4mm grooves running across the median joints of all four left fingers. The most deeply injured finger tingles every once in a while.. I hope there is no nerve damage. I am in the interesting position of getting well and no case, or getting a case and permanently injured. Not that I get a choice, anyway...
I bought two online books about dog bites. I will print them out this week and try to read then again. I still do not blame the dog - he's an animal. However, neglect and irresponsible training have turned this dog into a real danger. I received a long letter from Animal control today and will do my best to fill it out. Later today or tomorrow I will post further pictures and a scan of the form.
I hope that my experience will help those of you who thankfully have not had to deal with this be better prepared for such.
...
ps.
I don't know what to carry anymore. But I am placing an order for the Cold steel walking stick, and carrying 2oz sabre OC. I am also going to apply for a los angeles CCW, just to see.