Dog Bites

You just can’t help but love dogs. Dogs are considered to be loving and caring, and are said to be the most loyal friend man can ever have. But are they really? The US Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 4.5 million dog attacks occur every year all over the United States. Of these incidents, around 800,000 injuries require medical attention, and 30,000 victims go through reconstructive surgeries. 15 to 17 of dog bite victims also die each year. So if you think that a dog knows you and you know this dog won’t hurt you, then think again. Most of the victims of these attacks actually even knew the dog. Read the rest »

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a pit bull attack that has left a man dead in Selma. According to a KSEE24 news report, the fatal dog bite incident occurred the night of December 11, 2012. Officials say a woman pulled into her driveway and found a man lying on the ground, while the pit bulls were discovered inside a neighboring home with blood on them. The dogs were taken away along with six pit bull puppies and two other dogs. Nearby residents say the dogs had a violent history.

One neighbor stated he was not surprised that they attacked because he knew them to be “vicious, uncontrollable dogs,” and that they killed his dog a month ago. Another neighbor says the dogs could be seen roaming the neighborhood. Animal control officials say they had not received any calls or complaints before Tuesday’s fatal attack.

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family members and friends of this deceased dog bite victim. They will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Pit Bull Attacks 

According to 2011 statistics reported by Dogsbite.org, out of 31 fatal dog attacks in the United States that year, 22 (71 percent) involved pit bulls, although the breed makes up less than 5 percent of the U.S. dog population. In 2011, adult victims of fatal pit bull attacks more than doubled the number of child victims. Of the 22 people who were killed by pit bulls, 68 percent were between the ages of 32 and 76 and 32 percent were 5 years and younger. The year 2011 also marks an increase in pet pit bulls killing their owners, Dogsbite.org reports. Together pit bulls and rottweilers accounted for 84 percent of all fatal dog attacks in 2011.

Laws and Liability Issues

It appears from the news account that the dogs that were involved in this attack had a violent history. However, it is not clear why animal control officers had not received complaints earlier regarding the animals. Under California law, dog owners can be held financially responsible for their pets’ actions regardless of the animals’ prior vicious history or the dog owner’s knowledge of the dangers they pose. It is also a dog owner’s responsibility to ensure that his or her pets are on a leash at all times and kept securely in an enclosed space. Roaming dogs pose a serious threat to public safety.

In cases where a dog owner’s negligence has resulted in a fatality, criminal charges may be filed. In addition, the owner can be held civilly liable for the victim’s wrongful death. Such cases are usually filed by the surviving members of the victim’s family and seek damages for medical and funeral costs, lost future income and loss of love and companionship. An experienced dog bite lawyer in California will be able to stay on top of the official investigation and make sure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.

Dog Bites- Aggressive Possessiveness

Dog aggression is a serious problem that causes dogs to lash out at other animals, humans, and especially children. Up to 3 million people a year suffer from dog bites with more than half a million causing serious injuries and more than half of those serious injuries were to children.

There are eight different types of dog aggression:

• Fear
• Dominance
• Possessiveness
• Protectiveness
• Predation
• Punishment
• Pain
• Intraspecific aggression

What we are going to focus on is “aggressive possessiveness” , a form of aggression where the dog will bite another dog that it competes with for food, toys, etc..  A dog may also become aggressive if the dog perceives it’s family is being threatened in which case the dog becomes protective thus provoking aggressive behavior. Another type of aggressive possessiveness is territorial aggression. Dogs can become territorial just about any place that they frequent and have marked and can become aggressive toward other dogs that are being walked in the area.

Here are some tips on what to do if your dog is aggressive possessive around other dogs:

• Obedience training is the first recommended step. Dogs need discipline to understand that you are the pack leader. If you are unable to find the time to train your dog then it is recommended that you hire a dog trainer.
• It is imperative that your dog is exercised daily. Not only will it relieve them of the tension that builds from being inside all day, but you can use dog walking as a way to teach your dog good social skills.
• Dogs need affection too. However, according to dog training expert Cesar Millan, your dog should “work for your affection”. Giving your dog love is a good thing, but make him come to you because you are the pack leader and gently and frequently reinforcing this will help you discipline your dog.
• Socializing your dogs will teach them to be less protective and less aggressive. Dogs can become territorial over their entire neighborhood and a dog that has not had much interaction with other dogs will especially be aggressive and possessive towards other dogs.
  • When socializing your dog you will want to reinforce positive behavior. Start by walking them where there are other dogs. When a dog is passing by make your dog sit and give him a treat and compliment him for being a good dog. This teaches the dog  that other dogs are not a threat.
  • One mistake that people often make with a dog aggressive dog is to pull  back tightly on the leash when another dog is passing by. This does 2 things. 1) The dog will automatically resist you and 2) It sends a message to the dog that the other dog is a threat. If you are pulling the dog back and saying no, the dog perceives that as negative and can become even more aggressive.
  • A great tool to use when socializing your dog and breaking aggressive behavior is a shaker that can be homemade. Simply put some small rocks, marbles or whatever you choose to use in an empty plastic juice container, duck tape a handle to it that can be made out of pcp piping and you have a great training tool. This is used to keep dogs from fighting. If your dog and another dog become aggressive towards each other simply shake this between them and it will distract and change their behavior. It is safe and effective. Of course you will want to have treats on hand as each time your dog shows positive behavior you will want to reinforce it by rewarding him.

  The above tips are just a few that are necessary to have a healthy, happy, and friendly dog. For more information go to sources below.

  A dog bite injury in California can be a serious offense leading to a personal injury lawsuit. This can be devastating for the dog bite victim and the dog owner. So, it is in your best interest to know the dog laws that govern your state.

  Sources: http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/aggression.html

  http://www.mercer.edu

  http://www.menshealth.com/dogs/9-lessons-from-the-dog-whisperer.php

WHEC-TV in Rochester, New York, recently covered a local story about sheriff’s deputies shooting and killing a pit bull that charged at them. A number of pit bull owners then accused the TV station of “breed bias” saying that the only “bad dog stories” in the media involve pit bulls. So the station’s investigative team decided to check the facts further and find out what the police reports on dog attacks actually showed.

Based on data collected from the city of Rochester and its suburbs, the study found that pit bulls in fact bite the most. Here are some of the report’s key findings.

Of the 436 police calls for dog bite related incidents in the city, 242 were for pit bulls. In the town of Greece, of 35 dog bites, nine involved pit bulls. In Irondequoit, there were four dog attacks of which two were due to pit bulls. Overall 28 percent of dog bites in the suburbs involved pit bulls, more than any other breed. Read the rest »

Pasadena city leaders are pushing for new controls over potentially dangerous dog breeds just a month after a move was made to crack down on unlicensed dogs. According to a news report in the Pasadena Sun, Councilman Steve Madison said at a recent City Council meeting that Pasadena should consider a ban on pit bulls within city limits.

His take on the issue is that this particular breed of dog poses an inherent threat to public safety. However, the councilman’s suggestion is not likely to be accepted because California law prevents cities from banning a specific breed of dog.

The councilman’s comments have however gotten city officials talking about proposing laws that place additional requirements on pit bull owners. Read the rest »

A 4-year-old girl suffered bite wounds and a torn lip after a neighbor’s pit bull attacked her at an apartment complex. According to a news report in The San Diego Union-Tribune, the dog bite incident occurred the morning of October 9, 2012 in National City. Police say Brittany Gardiner, 22, had taken her 70-pound pit bull outside on a leash when the child, a neighbor, asked to pet the dog. The child walked up to the dog after Gardiner had given her permission, but the pit bull lunged and bit her face.

A police officer responded to the 911 calls and arrived as residents pulled the dog off the child. Gardiner then tried to put the dog in her car and leave, but officers stopped her and placed her under arrest. The victim was transported to a local hospital where she underwent surgery and remains in serious but stable condition. Gardiner was booked on suspicion of felony child endangerment, obstructing an officer and owning an animal that caused serious injury.

Read the rest »