A week after seven pit bulls mauled a 63-year-old Utah woman in her own backyard, she passed away from her wounds.
The woman, who has not been named, allegedly came under attack from a pack of pit bulls, according to a report in The Daily Mail. The aggressive dogs included a male, a female, and their five puppies, and were reportedly all owned by the victim’s son. The deadly attack happened at the victim’s home in Taylorsville on October 31, 2023.
Fatal Dog Bite Injuries
The victim was still in the pack when authorities responded to her call for assistance. Responders were forced to use pepper spray on the dogs to try and disperse them so they could get to the severely injured woman and treat her.
Officials confirmed that the victim suffered critical injuries to her face, hands, and leg. Doctors were forced to amputate her leg so she could have a chance at survival. It remains unknown at this point why the dogs attacked her.
Police said the male dog and the puppies were put down after the attack. When the female dog got loose and tried to run away, police shot it. The woman was hospitalized and died a week later from her injuries.
Officials said none of the dogs were licensed. City law states that all pets must be licensed every year. The law also does not allow more than two dogs or cats per household and four animals per residence.
Dog Breeds and Fatal Attacks
Dog bite fatalities involving pit bulls have been a subject of concern and debate. According to various studies and statistics, pit bulls are often implicated in a disproportionate number of severe dog-related injuries and fatalities.
The American Pit Bull Terrier and related breeds like the American Staffordshire Terrier consistently rank high in reported incidents.
Statistics from organizations such as DogsBite.org indicate that pit bulls are responsible for a significant percentage of fatal dog attacks in the United States. According to the organization, in 2019, eight dog bite fatalities involved canines from two or more different breeds. Eight dog breeds each contributed to one death, including the American bulldog, Belgian Malinois, coonhound, Doberman Pinscher, Dutch shepherd, Great Dane, husky, and mastiff.
What Does California’s Strict Liability Statute Say?
Civil Code Section 3342, also known as the “dog bite law,” governs California’s strict liability statute for dog attacks. Under this statute, California imposes strict liability on dog owners for injuries caused by their dogs biting another person, regardless of the dog’s prior behavior or the owner’s knowledge of that behavior.
According to the statute’s key provisions, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant’s dog bit them while they were lawfully in a public place or on private property, including the dog owner’s property.
This strict liability standard means that the owner is held responsible for the dog’s actions, even if the dog had no history of aggression or the owner was unaware of any aggressive tendencies.
This law is designed to protect the public from dog bites and hold owners accountable for the actions of their pets. In the context of California’s strict liability for dog attacks, it is not necessary for the injured party to prove negligence on the owner’s part or that the owner knew or should have known about the dog’s aggressive tendencies.
However, there are exceptions to this strict liability, such as instances where the injured person was trespassing on private property or provoking the dog. Also, if the dog performed a military or police function at the time of the bite, strict liability may not apply. There are exceptions to such immunity for governmental agencies as well, depending on the facts and circumstances of each individual case.
What to Do If You Have Been Injured in a Dog Attack
It is crucial to act quickly to address your safety and well-being if a dog has attacked you.
- First and foremost, seek medical attention for your injuries. Even seemingly minor bites can lead to infections and other health complications. So, it is essential to have a healthcare professional assess and treat your wounds.
- Next, try to identify the dog and its owner. Gather contact information and, if possible, obtain details about the dog’s vaccination history. This information will be valuable for medical professionals and authorities.
- Report the incident to local animal control or the police. They can investigate the incident, assess the dog’s behavior, and take appropriate action to prevent future attacks. Please provide them with any evidence you have, such as photos of your injuries and contact information for witnesses.
- Document the incident by taking photos of your injuries, the location of the attack, and any visible identification on the dog. This can be extremely helpful if you decide to pursue legal action.
Contact an experienced California dog bite lawyer who can help you understand your rights and potential compensation for medical expenses and other damages.
If the dog owner is uncooperative or if the incident was severe, consulting with a personal injury attorney may be necessary to navigate the legal process and secure the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12725839/Utah-woman-63-dies-mauled-sons-SEVEN-pit-bulls-Doctors-amputated-leg-bid-save-her.html
