Neighbor's Insurance Won't Cover Bills From Pit Bull Attack

AKRON, Ohio -- The city of Akron is now requiring pit bull owners to show proof of special insurance before the dog can get a license.

Troubleshooter Joe Pagonakis said dog owners must take precautions, no matter what breed they own.

Dawn Hoff's 6-year-old son was bitten by a pit bull in an Akron neighborhood. The city had issued the pit bull a license.

"My son had to be rushed to hospital, and my neighbors insurance refused to pay for $2,000 in medical bills," Hoff e-mailed Pagonakis.

Jake Hoff said he always trusted dogs until he ran into a neighborhood pit bull at a home just a couple of doors down.

Jake's scars are still visible on his face from the November attack.

"He ended up getting five stitches from his nose down to his lip. He does have a mark where the fang went in," Dawn Hoff said.

Dawn thought her neighbors, Robert and Megan Maxwell, had the proper license and insurance for their pit bull. But she got a big surprise when she tried to file a claim with the Maxwell's homeowner's insurance company.

"Their homeowner's insurance company rejected the entire claim. Anything pertaining to a pit bull is specifically excluded," Dawn said.

Dawn and her family were left with $2,000 in medical bills.

Robert Maxwell said the city of Akron gave him a license for the pit bull. But Akron Prosecutor Doug Powley charged the Maxwells with violating the vicious dog ordinance and two counts of not having the right insurance.

A judge suspended a 10-day jail sentence, but ordered the pit bull to be destroyed.

The Hoffs did not pursue a civil lawsuit against the Maxwells. However, dog owners can be sued if their dog bites someone.

If your city requires special insurance, make sure your agent sells you the proper coverage and the right policy. In Akron, failing to register a dog carries a mandatory $500 fine. In some cases, owners could also get up to 10 days in jail.