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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
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    4

    Default Child Bitten by a Rat at a Pet Store

    My question involves injury or loss that occurred in the state of: Kansas

    I have a question. My son and I were at Petland and he was bit by a rat in a wire cage sitting on the floor by the register. I was just a few feet away from him when it happened. He started crying and said the rat had bit his finger. He was bleeding everywhere. They just had this rat in a wire cage for anybody to stick there fingers in. I took him to the hospital, and they called animal control. They did move the rat after we went back up there. The staff was rude saying what do you want us to do about it. It just makes me so mad. Can we sue them for anything and have a chance of winning? I just don't know what to do.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Son Bit by a Rat at a Pet Store

    Your son is how old? Where were you when this happened? Did his injury require more treatment than, say, a kiss on the boo boo and a band-aid?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Son Bit by a Rat at a Pet Store

    My son is 4 years old, and he had to go to the hospital. He was bleeding very badly. The hospital called animal control and they had to do a report. They couldn't stitch up my sons finger because of infection, and they put him on a antibiotic for 5 days for infection.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Son Bit by a Rat at a Pet Store

    I was just a few feet away from him looking at some water bowls for our cat. I could see him. We were both by the register.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Il.(near StL,Mo.)
    Posts
    5,252

    Default Re: Son Bit by a Rat at a Pet Store

    You might ask the store if they will take care of your son's medical bills.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Posts
    5,437

    Default Re: Son Bit by a Rat at a Pet Store

    Quote Quoting priddy3
    View Post
    ...
    They couldn't stitch up my sons finger because of infection, and they put him on a antibiotic for 5 days for infection.
    ...


    What do you mean by that?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    2,344

    Default Re: Son Bit by a Rat at a Pet Store

    Really, an infection does not set in within a couple of hours. Also, parents do have some responsibility not to let their child stick their fingers in light sockets, animal cages, or meat grinders. If the animal was loose I could see far more liability than if a child not under direct control of the parent sticking his fingers into the animal's habitat. Anything with teeth can and will bite. Most people are aware of that and don't leave it to others to supervise their children.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Toledo, OH
    Posts
    16,307

    Default Re: Son Bit by a Rat at a Pet Store

    As a parent and pet owner, I tend to agree with Bubba Jimmy here.

    Animals - even, and sometimes especially, the small cute ones - are unpredictable and can bite without any provocation. Pet stores, being completely different from petting zoos, are places where children of any age need to be strictly supervised by their parents, because:

    They just had this rat in a wire cage for anybody to stick there fingers in.
    Had he wandered over to play with a scarlet or blue macaw or an African parrot instead, he could have lost his finger entirely.

    I would suggest that you teach your child about the importance of NOT touching animals he has not yet been properly introduced to and NOT to stick his fingers into cages, and keep him close by your side whenever you are in the pet store.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    supratentorial region
    Posts
    818

    Default Re: Son Bit by a Rat at a Pet Store

    Quote Quoting priddy3
    View Post
    My son is 4 years old, and he had to go to the hospital. He was bleeding very badly. The hospital called animal control and they had to do a report. They couldn't stitch up my sons finger because of infection, and they put him on a antibiotic for 5 days for infection.
    Physicians must report ALL animal bites to animal control.

    They could not stitch up his finger because it was a puncture wound from an animal bite. It was too soon for it to be infected.

    He was prescribed an antibiotics as a precaution to decrease the chances of bacteria from the rat's saliva causing a infection.

    Ask the pet shop if they would be willing to pay for a percentage of the medical bill. YOU also need to take some responsibility in supervising your child.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    3,835

    Default Re: Son Bit by a Rat at a Pet Store

    Quote Quoting priddy3
    View Post
    Can we sue them for anything and have a chance of winning? I just don't know what to do.
    You can ask if they will pay the medical bills. If they don't, to sue and be successful, you need a valid Cause of action.

    What is that?

    It is a legal theory to base an action on. Was the pet store negligent in some way? Does state law have a strict liability for animal bites even if in cages?

    If an adult reached in to pet it one could argue, depending on case law of course, they "assumed the risk" of the possible danger.

    A child is not capable of assuming the risk.

    If they will not, at minimum, pay the hospital bills, you may have to consult a personal injury attorney.

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