A woman has scars on her left foot because she was attacked by a dog while riding her bicycle in Havendale, St. Andrew. The owner of the dog promised to pay her medical expenses but she complains that he is now giving her excuses.

"I was riding my bicycle exercising in my community in Havendale in October last year when a dog rushed through a gate that was left open and bit me on my left foot," the woman said.

"While the dog was attacking me, a man who appeared to be the owner of the dog came out and ran the dog inside.

"He looked at the wound and promised that he would pay the medical expenses. I went to the doctor the same day and the next day I went to the premises and gave the man the receipt for my medical expenses.

"I told him I would have to go back to the doctor the next week and he said when I got all the bills I should take them to him and he would pay me.

"The bills came to a total of $10,500 and I gave them to the man in early December. He promised that he would pay me the next week but I have been to the premises three times and he is only giving me excuses.I am now left with scars on my left foot."

"I feel he just wants me to get fed up and stop coming to him for the money but I am not giving up or I might just take him to court. Is it possible for me to make a claim for more than the amount in the bills?"

It is possible that you can file a negligence suit against the dog's owner to recover damages for pain and suffering in addition to your medical expenses. Once you are able to prove in court that the man is the owner of the dog, then the court will award damages in your favour. The judge will most likely award damages for your pain and suffering in addition to your medical expenses.