“That has drastically affected my entire career,” Army pilot still recovering after loose dog led crash in Effingham County

GUYTON, Ga. (WTOC) -An Army helicopter pilot is warning neighbors about the importance of local leash laws as he continues to recover from a major scooter crash caused by an unrestrained dog.

Ryan De Leon was riding his scooter along Ruby Trail in Guyton in late November 2025 when a neighbor’s loose dog reportedly charged toward him. In an effort to avoid hitting the animal, De Leon swerved, crashed into a neighbor’s mailbox, and landed in a ditch.

The impact tore tendons in his bicep, requiring immediate surgery and leaving him with permanent scarring and physical pain. Since the accident, he says he’s not only unable to enjoy certain activities but he’s also struggling to perform his duties.

“I’ve never been injured like that in my entire career,” De Leon said. “I have to modify what I do because the Army has put me on a permanent profile. So, that has drastically affect my entire career.”

Despite facing severe swelling, bruising, and $41,000.00 in medical bills.

A lawsuit was filed against the homeowners after their homeowner’s insurance company denied liability for the incident. De Leon says he initially tried to settle the matter with the dog’s owners as respectfully as possible, but the insurer’s refusal to cover the pilot’s mounting medical expenses forced him to sue to the owners directly.

“What really drew me to this case and Ryan is his service to the country. He stopped his physical therapy; he gotten himself good enough where he could fly his helicopter and not endanger his fellow warriors, but he needed to finish his PT and he hasn’t yet because he’s flying for his country,” said De Leon’s attorney, David Zagoria.

According to Zagoria, under Georgia law, proving the dog was running loose in clear violation of Effingham County’s leash law ordinance is sufficient to prove negligence before local jury.

For De Leon, the decision to speak out is about more than just medical bills—it is about protecting the local community. Not long after the incident, De Leon says the exact same dog ran out and chased his daughter and her friend while they were riding a golf cart through the neighborhood.

“That same dog came out and chased my daughter and her friend on our golf cart,” De Leon said. “That’s where it’s important for me to tell the story because it’s clearly an issue. We can let folks know the importance of keeping your dog on a leash.”

WTOC attempted to reach out to the dog’s owners several times over the past two weeks for comment regarding the lawsuit, but did not receive a response.

According to Effingham County ordinances, all pets are required to be contained by a leash, fence, or other appropriate means at all times. Neighbors can report bites, loose animals, and other leash law violations directly to Effingham County Animal Protection and Control Services.