A school office employee who sustained serious injuries in a dog bite incident the afternoon of June 8, 2010, has been identified as 65-year-old Marilyn Reyes. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, Reyes was attacked by a loose dog, which wandered into the office. Reyes was attacked unprovoked and bitten numerous times. She suffered puncture wounds and had to undergo surgery to repair a ruptured artery. The dog has been quarantined in a county facility. The dog owner has been identified and an investigation is ongoing.
It is indeed fortunate that no other children or adults were hurt in this horrific attack. I pray for Reyes's quick and complete physical and emotional recovery. Dog attacks can be severely and psychologically traumatizing for victims.
Dog Bite Statistics
Annually, there are about 4.4 million dog attack injuries in the United States of which 800,000 require medical attention. According to CDC statistics, pit bulls and Rottweilers account for more than half of all dog bite fatalities in the United States. According to Dogsbite.org, a Web site for dog attack victims nationwide, of the 88 fatal dog attacks in the United States in a three-year period between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2008, 59 percent or 52 incidents involved pit bulls followed by Rottweilers (14 percent), American bulldog and Husky (5 percent each).
Dangerous Dog Breeds
This story raises a number of questions. But the issue that seems to have sparked the most debate is whether pit bulls are vicious as a breed. Take a look at the numbers and decide for yourself. CDC's statistics are consistent with the numbers provided by Dogsbite.org, which is an advocacy group. If you follow the news, you know that a majority of fatal or serious injury dog bites involve pit bulls.
Breed bans are illegal in California. But a number of California counties and cities are introducing legislation that will make it tougher on owners of pit bulls and other dangerous breeds. Some cities require special permits and others require liability insurance for owners of these dogs. If you have been injured in any dog attack, please contact an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer to get more information about your rights and options.
Do you believe California should make breed bans legal? Should pit bulls and other "dangerous breeds" be banned?
The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.
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