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Tag Archives: dog bite

May 21, 2014 News
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New York ranks 7th highest in dog attack lawsuit payouts

An industry report shows that just one insurance company in New York State paid out $6.4 Million in dog bite attack claims last year. Specialists say that the statistics are similar for other insurance carriers who pay hundreds of millions of dollars to injured victims of assaults by dogs. They explain that very often the dog attack could have been prevented by simply putting the canine on a leash or containing it inside of a fence. However, many dog owners are negligent and create a dangerous condition for others that share the sidewalks, streets and public parks. Public safety activists note that dog owners sometimes think that their dog is safe and well trained while the reality is that even small things can set the animal off, triggering a vicious assault. Even dogs that are on a leash as well as small dogs can pose a threat and require close monitoring, especially while in public. The unsuspecting assault victim, often young children, can suffer severe and evening life threatening injuries in the matter of seconds. Common dog attack injuries include lacerations, cuts, broken bones, head injury or even internal bleeding. The long-term effects of the trauma can lead to infections, brain damage, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dog bite associated diseases and even death.
Police relate that local, state and federal laws regarding dog safety are in place to prevent injuries and wrongful death due to someone being attacked by a dog. In response to inquiries, they answer that owners of dogs that bite someone face fines and personal injury lawsuits. In some circumstances, the owner may face criminal charges for battery, especially if the dog was a known danger or the owner knowingly created a hazardous condition. Homeowner and renter’s insurance policies often contain a third party liability policy that helps cover the cost of a negligence lawsuit and medical bills arising from dog bites. Victims of a dog assault can speak to a qualified personal injury lawyer for further advice. This can include a general passerby, visitor or even a workman injured while at work. Check out more about the frightening reality of dog attacks in New York.

Illustrative photo by Karen Arnold [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

October 13, 2013 News
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Two victims of dog attack in New York

New York – An elderly woman and her son were assaulted and bitten by a pit bull dog early this past week. Police had to shoot and kill the dog in order to stop the assault. The two injured victims were rushed to local hospital emergency rooms in Westchester, NY with multiple bites and injuries. The dog bites were being evaluated by the trauma doctors according to reports. Police say that the dog attack began when the family members began fighting and the dog became enraged. Public safety activists warn that this is another example about the dangers of some dogs and the need for additional safety precautions. They point to other victims that were assaulted by a dog as proof that some dog owners don’t properly protect the safety and health of the general public around them. Specifically, pit bulls are known to be very friendly and docile one minute, only to violently turn into an attack dog that can hurt, disable or even kill a victim when something upsets them. Other types of dogs can also be dangerous and need to be dealt with carefully. Activists note that dog owners often ignore basic leash laws or other safety guidelines, creating a hazardous condition for everyone else. Most areas of New York, and even the country, have laws in place that require a dog to be on a leash when out in public. Other pet safety guidelines commonly include a requirement to place a muzzle on a potentially dangerous dog that may bite others. Some dog owners try to downplay the potential dangers involved with owning these pets but repeated deadly dog attacks around the country tell a different story. Citizens that walk along the sidewalks and in the parks of many New York neighborhoods often complain about the safety hazard of dogs running around without a leash and attacking them or their children. A personal injury lawyer explains that this is not just a violation or the law but can leave the dog’s owner liable for injuries and emotional trauma caused to a victim. The owner can be held personally responsible and face a personal injury lawsuit if found guilty of negligence in properly securing their dog. Assaults by dogs have been well known to lead to death of victims both young and old. Wrongful death cases can also be brought against the dog owners, especially when negligence or neglect of safety has occurred. Read more about the recent dog bite attack here.

Photo by I, Jlantzy [GFDL, CC-BY-SA-3.0 or CC-BY-2.5], via Wikimedia Commons