Dog Maulings

Dog Maulings

There is no way to predict whether a loyal and friendly dog will eventually turn on an owner, attack a small child, or inflict pain and suffering on an innocent victim.  The statistics show that almost five million people were mauled by dogs last year, 800,000 of whom required serious medical attention. 

In fact, between 1979 and 1998 there were 304 fatal dog maulings in the United States, and tragically most of these victims were children.  Out of the top nine cases where the breed of the offending dog was known, Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and German Shepard Dogs accounted for more than half of the fatal maulings.

The reasons that dogs maul people can vary from situation to situation.  Although any dog is capable of inflicting serious damage, the breed, age, gender, training, and socialization of the dog can greatly influence the likelihood of a mauling. Dog maulings are the second most common cause for emergency room visits for children, second only to baseball and softball accidents.

Recent studies of dog maulings have shown that:

• The median age of mauling victims was 15 years and young boys between 5 and 9 years old are the most likely to be mauled
• Children are mauled more than adults at a ratio to 3.2 to 1 (CDC)
• Emergency departments report that children were more likely than adults to suffer a bite on the face, neck, and head, and 77% of children under 10 are bitten on the face
• Children under 10 years of age generally suffer the worst injuries
• 61% occur at home or in a familiar place 
• 77% of the dogs who maul children belong to the family or a friend of the victim 
• The family dog was responsible for 47% of the maulings of children under 4 years old, and 90% of the time the attack occurred in the family home

If you or someone you know were among the five million Americans bitten by a dog last year or if you suffered serious injury from a dog mauling, you need to contact an experienced and dedicated attorney immediately.  You may be entitled to financial compensation for your pain and suffering.  Furthermore, laws called statutes of limitations can restrict the amount of time you hate to take legal action in California, so every second you hesitate could put a legal victory out of reach.  Contact a lawyer today.