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Jamaica Observer:- A man who was attacked by a cross-breed German shepherd and later diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy is pleading with the Government to amend the Dog Liability for Injuries Act to impose stiffer penalties on owners of dogs that attack people.

Wesley Daley, who was attacked in January 2018, said he decided to add his voice to the discussion because of how frequent reports of dog attacks have become.

Peripheral neuropathy refers to the conditions that result when nerves that carry messages to and from the brain and spinal cord from and to the rest of the body are damaged or diseased.

The 30-year-old man, who told the Jamaica Observer in an interview yesterday that he has spent close to $600,000 in medical bills without any changes to his condition, said it was heartbreaking to read about the lives lost or injuries to people stemming from dog attacks which go unabated.

“I am asking the Government of Jamaica, I am appealing to the Government of Jamaica; honourable Andrew Holness, prime minister of Jamaica, and the security minister [Dr Horace Chang] to address this. This is an epidemic. These dogs are allowed to bite up teachers, killing elderly and wounding people. People can’t go about their daily lives; and it is not happening only on the road, it is happening in homes as well. It is terrifying and traumatic,” Daley stated.

The 1877 Dog Liability for Injuries Act only addresses the civil liability of dog owners. According to the Act, “The owner of every dog shall be liable in damages for injury done to any person, or any cattle or sheep by his dog.”

Additionally, the Act says damages shall be recoverable in any court of competent jurisdiction by the person injured, or by the owner of such cattle or sheep killed or injured.

Read More:- http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/front-page/dog-bite-victim-s-plea-man-urges-gov-t-to-amend-law-and-increase-fine-on-owners_179035?profile=1606