California Dog Attacks

California Dog Attacks

Dog attacks are one of the most common types of daily injury.  In fact, 914 people will have to visit the emergency room each day because of injuries inflicted by a dog attack, while thousands more will sustain less serious injuries that do not require medical treatment.  These numbers have steadily risen over the past 10 years, and experts suspect that more and more people will have to deal with the tragedy and terror that can accompany a dog attack in the upcoming years.

It is truly unfortunate that a small proportion of the 65 million dogs in America give the rest a bad reputation, but experts are quick to point out that any dog is potentially dangerous under certain circumstances.  However, there are certain breeds that tend to have a predilection towards violence.  A joint study conducted by the Humane Society of the United States and the Center for Disease Control between 1995 and 1996 reached a number of conclusions:

• More than 25 people were killed dog attacks (11 in 1995 and 14 in 1996). An interesting note is that the sources of the study may have underestimated the number of attacks by 26%.
• Children accounted for 20 attacks, or 80% of the total. Three were one month old or younger, one child was five months, 10 children were between one and four years old and six were five and 11.
• Five adults aged 39, 60, 75, 81, and 86 were among the fatalities. 
• Of the dog bite related fatalities, 18, or 72% were males. 
• In the 23 cases that could be classified, seven were unrestrained dogs off the property of the owner, five were restrained dogs on the owner's property, and 11 were unrestrained dogs on the owner's property. 
• 100% of the attacks by unrestrained dogs not on the property of the owner were perpetuated by more than one dog. 
• All of the infant deaths caused by dog attacks happened on the property of the owner and involved one dog and a sleeping child.
• 14 states reported fatal attacks: California, four; Florida and Pennsylvania, three; Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, and South Dakota, two; and Connecticut, Massachusetts, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and Washington, one.

If you or someone you know was the victim of a dog bite you need to consult a compassionate and experienced dog bite attorney immediately.  You could be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering, but any hesitation could cost you your case if California statutes of limitations expire before could prevent you get what you deserve.  Contact a dog attack attorney today.