What happened
A woman was seriously injured in a dog attack Saturday night, November 7, 2026, near Jefferson and Washington Streets in Shelburn. WTHI reported[1] that her injuries were serious and extensive and that she was lifelined to Indianapolis. Her brother told the station that she was in the ICU in stable condition.
The Terre Haute Tribune-Star reported[2] bites to the woman’s arms, legs and hands and said she was taken to a local hospital. The newspaper placed the attack at about 10:16 p.m.
Shelburn police are searching for a gray pit bull. A black Labrador was reportedly seen with it. No owner has been identified, and no charges have been reported. The Shelburn Police Department is leading the ongoing investigation with help from the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office.
What you should do after a dog attack
Dog bites can cause deep wounds, infections and nerve damage, so follow-up care matters even after emergency treatment. You should report the bite to police or animal control so the dog can be found and checked for rabies.
Photograph your wounds as they heal, keep medical bills and records, and write down what you remember about the dog and where it came from. The firm’s guide to evidence in an Indiana injury claim explains why organized records can matter when facts are disputed.
If the owner is identified, a homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy may be involved. A Fort Wayne dog bite attorney can review the available facts and help determine which insurance and legal issues require attention.
Why the Shelburn location matters
The attack happened on a residential street in Shelburn, in Sullivan County, and the Shelburn Police Department is the lead agency, according to WTHI. A civil case is usually filed in the county where the injury happened or where a defendant lives.
Whether a claim exists, and against whom, depends on identifying the owner or keeper of the dogs. The reports state that this has not happened. A police report also is not a determination of civil liability.
Indiana uses modified comparative fault under Ind. Code 34-51-2-6. An injured person whose fault is greater than 50 percent recovers nothing; otherwise, recovery is reduced by that person’s percentage of fault. Nothing reported so far describes the woman’s conduct. You can read more about Indiana’s 51 percent fault rule.
Most Indiana personal injury claims must be filed within two years under Ind. Code 34-11-2-4. The filing period and the time needed to identify an owner make it important to preserve information promptly.
How Delventhal Law Office can help
Delventhal Law Office, LLC is a Fort Wayne personal injury law firm founded by attorney Chad E. Delventhal in 2009. The firm helps people across Indiana who are hurt because of someone else’s carelessness, including people injured in dog attacks.
Chad Delventhal can explain how Indiana law may apply, investigate who owned or kept a dog, review available insurance, and track the applicable deadlines. Insurance companies may aggressively defend disputed injury claims, so careful documentation and a plainspoken review of the evidence matter.
Every case is different, and no outcome can be promised. The firm offers a free case evaluation for people who want to understand their options.
This post is based on public reporting, the investigation may be ongoing, and nothing here is legal advice or creates an attorney-client relationship.
