Georgia Jury Awards $4.2M in Presa Canario Mastiff Dog Bite Case

A recent Georgia jury awarded $4.2 million to an 82-year-old woman who sustained severe injuries after being attacked by a neighbor's dog, highlighting significant personal liability risks for homeowners.

The incident occurred in Jonesboro, Ga., when a 130-pound Presa Canario mastiff entered the victim's property and inflicted multiple bites. This case underscores the importance of adequate personal liability coverage, as standard homeowners insurance limits may not sufficiently protect against large judgments from dog bite lawsuits.

Homeowners facing such lawsuits could potentially expose their personal assets, emphasizing the need for comprehensive risk assessment and insurance review. Insurance agents are urged to proactively educate insured clients about these evolving property risks and offer tailored coverage solutions to mitigate financial exposure. With increasing liability exposures stemming from dog bite incidents, carriers and agents must navigate the complexities of underwriting and claims to better serve their clients and maintain portfolio risk balance.