Dr. Phil's dog attacks guest in his Beverly Hills home, talk host sued for it

Photo from CBS

(CBS) – Dr. Phil McGraw is being sued for personal injuries and damages after his dog allegedly attacked and injured Janet Harris, a frequent guest on Dr. Phil’s talk show as a skin care specialist, according to online reports.

Harris went to visit the McGraw family’s Beverly Hills home in late 2009 and Maggie, their Korean Jindo, allegedly attacked Harris “without provocation and warning,” according to the complaint filed Feb. 2, Radar Online reports.

According to Harris’ statement the dog bit her right hand and arm so hard she bled. She later says in the complaint that Robin McGraw, Dr. Phil’s wife, offered to take her to the hospital, but Dr. Phil said otherwise, claiming it would create “unnecessary” bad press and he wanted to handle it privately, according to the gossip site.

Harris was given antibiotics by a physician through a friend who is a nurse, but the next day her arm was swollen, according to her statement.

According to Harris’ lawsuit, after she received a Tetanus shot she also had to take I-V antibiotics and see an infectious disease specialist who diagnosed her with pastuerella multocida, a disease caused by an animal bite, Radar reported.

Harris also claims the bite would have been fatal if she had not taken antibiotics within 72 hours. She states that the bite caused her business to struggle because she was physically unable to work, forcing her to close her Beverly Hills clinic, the complaint claims according to Radar.

Dr. Phil’s attorneys are demanding the lawsuit be dismissed because it’s in violation of an agreement to arbitrate any disputes, Radar reports.

Harris’ attorneys fired back telling Radar Online, “His motion is an attempt to deny her the right to a jury trial by using a declaration that has nothing whatsoever to do with the case at issue. We hope he sleeps well.”



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New Baby and Your Dog

A new baby coming into your home can cause rivalries and danger to both your dog and your new baby. There are some basic steps you can take to help everyone make the adjustment.

Allow you dog to sniff things your baby will be using so the dog's scent will be on these items. This is a sanitary method because dogs can pick up scent on items even after the have been laundered.

Get yourself a baby doll and introduce it to your dog using the word "baby" and teaching your dog to sit and lie down whenever the baby is near.

Train your dog. If your dog hasn't been trained yet, it need to learn SIT, DOWN and HEEL. Find a local obedience trainer and get signed up for an obedience class.

Introduce your dog to toddlers. Start with toddlers that are away from your dog's territory, then on his property and finally in your house.

Acclimate your dog to a baby's cry. You can do this with a tape recording of babies at the hospital. (There may even be recordings like this on places like eBay.) Let pooch check out this sound and investigate as long as all four feet stay on the floor.

When your baby comes home from the hospital, have mom enter the house first without the baby. Introduce the dog to the baby's items first and then the baby. Do not let the baby interfere with the dog's regular routines with like feeding, walking and playtime. Never leave your dog alone with the baby and do not let the dog sleep in the baby's room.

Remember that children can hurt dogs too. Don't get a dog for the baby, the baby is too young to learn about a dog. It is not a good idea for them to "grow up together" because you'll be too busy to attend the needs of both. Teach your child that a dog needs quiet when sleeping and eating. Teach your child to pet the dog gently and use a calm voice.

For More Information:

Preventing Dog Bites
Dog Safety Tips for Children and Parents

Image: iStock

Tips on Avoiding Dog Bites

Avoiding Dog Bites
Before giving tips on avoiding dog bites, lets consider some basics about dogs. First and foremost, dogs are animals. If we like they are anything other than that, it is unfair to them and puts undue pressure on them to act like something other than dogs. The number one question I get from people considering euthanasia or putting a dog up for adoption relates to biting.

Dog nips, bites and attacks in the United States are on the rise. The CDC estimates that over 5 million people are bitten by dogs every year. That is about 2% of the population in the United States. Of those, only about 16% seek medical attention. The majority of people bitten by dogs are children, but service people and the elderly are also high on the frequently bitten list.

American Family Insurance all ready has a policy in place that prohibits coverage to households with a wolf, wolf hybrid or pit bull. The ineligible dog list is ever expanding and will likely continue to do so. It is up to dog owners to train their dogs and help them become good canine citizens.

Here are some basic tips to reduce your risk of dog bites:

Don't leave babies or children unattended with dogs or puppies.
Don't play aggressive games with dogs.
Don't disturb sleeping or eating dogs.
Don't bother a bitch caring for her puppies.
Don't tease dogs or make loud noises around them.
Don't stick your face into a dog's face.
Don't put your hand between two dogs.
Don't stare into a dog's eyes.
Don't make fast, jerky movements around a dog's head.
Don't approach a dog you don't know, especially if it is chained or tied up.
Don't chase dogs.
Don't move suddenly or make any direct contact with an unfamiliar dog. If a dog approaches you, don't run or scream but remain still. If the dog does knock you down, roll into a ball, protect your head and face, and don't move.

DO ask the owner's permission to pet a strange dog. Approach the dog slowly with your hand out flat and let him sniff you. Instead of petting the top of the dog's head, pet him underneath his chin. If he growls, back away.

For more information on dog bites, visit the AVMA web site, State Farm Insurance web site, the Insurance Information Institute web site or the CDC web site. (These links will take you away from this blog.)