BRIEF: Jury awards $150,000 in Chesapeake dog bite case

July 29--CHESAPEAKE -- A jury awarded $150,000 last week to a former employee of a Chesapeake animal hospital who was mauled at work three years ago by a Rottweiler.

Erinn Booth Dukeman, formerly of Hickory Veterinary Hospital, claimed David Dixon and his wife, Gretchen, did not do enough March 25, 2011, to protect her from their dog, Harley. The dog bit her in the mouth while inside an exam room.

According to documents filed in Circuit Court, Dukeman underwent multiple surgeries and other procedures as a result of the attack, amassing more than $28,000 in medical bills.

Harley bit one of his owners before Dukeman, court documents said. After the incident, he bit one of his owners again.

The dog was euthanized in February 2012 -- after the third bite. An attorney for the Dixons explained in court documents that her clients made the decision to put down Harley after receiving a letter from their home insurance company threatening to cancel their policy.

The lawsuit, filed in August 2012, sought $300,000 in damages.

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