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Young dogbite victim lobbies for tougher liability at NYS Capitol
Posted at: 06/14/2012 4:15 PM
| Updated at: 06/14/2012 6:05 PM
By: Bill Lambdin
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ALBANY - These days Frankie Flora is a very active, outspoken, happy 8 year old.
It is a huge contrast from his condition three years ago, when large parts of his scalp and face were ripped away by a vicious dog attack.
"We are here to speak on behalf of every victim in New York State that has ever gone through any type of dog injury," said Frankie's mom Maria Flora of Poughkeepsie.
Frankie and Maria are pushing for Senator Neil Breslin's dog bite bill.
Before the dog attacked Frankie says "we were throwing a tennis ball and like trying to teach it to play fetch."
Senator Neil Breslin (D - Delmar) has submitted legislation. "This is saying for the actual medical expenses there's strict liability, meaning that the owner is responsible for those medical expenses."
As the law now stands, an owner is not responsible for injuries and medical expenses the first time a dog attacks, unless the human was negligent or knew the dog was dangerous.
"We've been repeatedly going back to the hospital," said Maria Flora. "He just had surgery a month ago and his whole entire scalp had to be cut in like a pinwheel shape and they had to rotate it to close a bald spot."
Breslin said he does not expect his strict liability measure will pass this year but hopes support will evolve.
