A British Columbia judge has ordered the owner of a dog that attacked a jogger to pay over $420,000, including court costs and medical reimbursements. The victim, Kaarina Schrott, a 46-year-old licensed practical nurse, was awarded more than $392,000 in damages after the incident left her with severe injuries.
Details of the Attack
In December 2020, Schrott, then 41, was jogging on a foot path in Vernon when a large off-leash dog approached from a truck and attacked her. The dog bit her elbow, shook her, and pulled her to the ground. The owner, Jocelyn Gaetan Roger, intervened and drove her to her car. She later crawled into her home and was taken to the hospital by her husband, where she underwent surgery two days later.
Injuries and Impact
Schrott suffered a broken lower left leg, a torn knee cartilage, and an injured elbow. She could not walk unassisted for two months. The knee injury required two surgeries and left her with permanent physical limitations. She was unable to continue working at her foot-care clinic, which required crouching and bending, and eventually sold the business.
Before the attack, Schrott was active, enjoying jogging, skiing, camping, and gardening. She was also deeply involved in her children's lives. The judge noted that her physical limitations continue to affect her relationships and lifestyle.
Legal Proceedings
Schrott's claims went unchallenged because Roger did not respond to the lawsuit or appear in court. The judge ruled that his failure to respond constituted an admission of liability. Schrott was awarded $200,000 for lost earnings, equivalent to three years' salary for a licensed practical nurse, plus additional sums for pain and suffering, future medical costs, physiotherapy, and a knee brace.
The judge also ordered Roger to pay $19,000 in court costs and reimburse the province $9,000 for covered medical expenses.
