Georgia Family Awarded $36M in Lawsuit Over Dog Attack

DeKalb County prosecutors say the family of a girl who was critically injured in a dog attack has been awarded more than $36 million.

County Solicitor’s Spokeswoman Terrie Clark said in a statement Tuesday that a jury awarded the family of Erin Ingram $72 million in a suit against Twyann Vaughn of Lithonia. Attorney Kevin Adamson said the judge capped punitive damages at $250,000, reducing the award to roughly $36.6 million.

Clark says Ingram was 8-years-old when she was attacked by Vaughn’s dogs and her left arm had to be partially amputated, among other injuries.

Vaughn was found guilty in January 2012 of reckless conduct, violation of the county’s vicious dog ordinance, and failure to have the dogs immunized for rabies. She was sentenced to 16 months in jail.