Correspondence to Dr. Polsky:
I was hiking in French Polynesia three months ago when I was attacked by two Cano Corsos. They knocked me down several times and mauled me to the extent that I nearly bled to death by the time I got to ER. I was treated in ER, and underwent general anesthesia and surgery two hours later. I saw a wound care specialist for weeks after returning to the U.S.
We have contacted an attorney in Paris, but the case may be going nowhere. I wonder if you’d have any advice or interest in the case. Photos available.Hello Dr Polsky,
You requested more elaboration about the attack. I am a 6’ 2”, 200 lb fit American male. I bicycle 120 miles a week, and hike, kayak, and sail frequently. I am 61 years old.
My wife, Darcy and I were staying in a Bed and Breakfast hotel on the island of Raitaia, near Bora Bora. I saw a nearby trail on my hiking apps-AllTrails, and Gaia are the apps-so I hiked from the hotel, past a couple of houses, and then into the forest/jungle. I was hiking uphill on a dirt road no more than a half mile from the houses when the two dogs came running up the trail from behind me and immediately started biting and drawing blood. They were able to knock me down multiple times. I kept jumping to my feet in self-preservation. Soon I was kicking and punching back as best I could, but losing the battle overall, as blood loss became severe ( I take Coumadin blood thinner for an irregular heartbeat).
It occurred to me that I needed help to survive. So I decided to run at, and past , the dogs to try to get back to where the houses I had seen behind me were. This decision probably saved my life. After getting chomped some more, I got to where I could see the houses and screamed for help. Just then, the dog owner called off the dogs, who apparently lived at one of the houses. The dog owner initially said I was on private property-a whole story of its own-but then drove me literally at 90 mph to the hospital. There in ER they stabilized me before I went into shock and scheduled surgery for a few hours later. A surgeon with help of an anesthesiologist stitched up the wounds as seen in the pictures.
This whole thing happened on the first day of our vacation and required that we cancel the sailboat we had chartered and wrecked our vacation, obviously.
Chad K.
Camarillo, California
Dr. Polsky’s response
Dear Mr. Kominek,
Thank you for taking the time to share the detailed account of the traumatic incident you experienced in French Polynesia. I’m very sorry to hear about the severity of the attack and the long recovery process you’ve endured. The circumstances you describe—unprovoked aggression by two Cane Corsos, sustained attack resulting in significant physical trauma, and delayed intervention by the owner—are deeply troubling.
From a behavioral and forensic standpoint, several aspects of this incident raise serious concerns:
-
Unprovoked Attack Behavior: Based on your account, the Cane Corsos pursued and attacked you without any provocation or warning. This kind of predatory or territorial aggression, particularly when carried out by a pair of large, powerful dogs, is consistent with behavior often seen in dogs that are inadequately trained, poorly contained, or reinforced for guarding behavior.
-
Owner Responsibility: If the dogs were off-leash and not properly confined or controlled, there is a strong indication of negligence on the part of the owner. Furthermore, the claim that you were on private property, even if accurate, would not legally or ethically justify the level of aggression displayed by the dogs—especially toward a non-threatening adult walking along a known trail.
-
Injury Severity and Behavior Implications: The fact that you were repeatedly knocked down and mauled, with blood loss so extreme that it required emergency surgery and long-term care, underscores the level of aggression and the dogs’ intent to subdue or seriously harm you—not simply “defend” territory.
Although the incident occurred outside the U.S., the behavioral issues involved are consistent with cases I’ve consulted on here in California and internationally. I’ve served as an expert witness in many dog attack cases involving Cane Corsos and similar breeds, analyzing factors such as provocation, territorial aggression, bite severity, and owner negligence.
Next Steps:
If your legal counsel in Paris believes expert testimony or a behavioral opinion could assist in litigation or insurance proceedings, I would be open to reviewing case materials and offering a formal evaluation. This would include:
-
Review of photos and medical reports
-
Analysis of location, trail proximity, and dog ownership
-
Behavioral assessment of the attack dynamics
-
Expert opinion for legal or insurance purposes
Please feel free to forward any relevant documentation or photos if you’d like me to conduct a preliminary review. I can then advise whether a formal report or affidavit would be appropriate, depending on the direction of your legal case.
Again, I’m sorry this happened to you and hope your recovery continues steadily. If I can assist in any professional capacity, I’d be glad to contribute.
Sincerely,
Richard Polsky, Ph.D.
Animal Behavior Expert Witness
President, Animal Behavior Counseling Services
Los Angeles, California
