Pit Bull Attack In Long Beach Injures Three

Saturday evening at about 6:00 p.m. a woman and her dog walking down a street in Long Beach were attacked by two pit bulls, causing injuries to both.  According to KTLA news, the unidentified woman required emergency surgery, and two Good Samaritans who tried to help were also bitten and required medical treatment.  Once police arrived at the scene on East Barclay Street they were quickly able to locate one of the dogs, and the animal had to be shot dead after attempts to bring it under control with a Taser were unsuccessful.   The second dog was later found and is now in the custody of Animal Control. 

See the KTLA news story and photograph HERE.

Once again, two aggressive dogs were apparently allowed to wander free and attack an innocent victim and her dog.  While many dog breeds are known for their aggression, pit bulls also have the distinction of latching on to their victims with powerful jaws and not letting go.  As a result, their bites tend to be worse than other dogs of equal size and weight.  While it is unknown precisely what injuries the victim in the story above sustained, it is probably fair to conclude she will suffer significant scarring and may need plastic surgery in the future because of the attack.   After bites from a large breed of dog, it is not uncommon for the victim to require plastic surgery to revise scars, particularly where the bites are to the face, hands or arms.  As with any dog bite occurring in California, the owner of the pit bulls in the story above is strictly liable for the injuries and damages these victims sustained.  Once a dog bites a victim (as opposed to scratching or knocking them down), the owner is automatically liable for the damages.  Where the injuries do not result from a bite, it must be shown the owner was negligent in the handling or control of their dog.  

Compensation for the victims of dog bites should be an important concern for all Californians.   When an innocent victim is bitten and seriously injured, the dog’s owner should be held accountable for all of the injuries and damages suffered by the victim and their family.  An Orange County dog bite lawyer with experience at handling such cases can make a fair assessment of these claims.   Mr. Ralph has more than 20 years of experience handling personal injury cases, including just this type.  He can be reached at 714-919-4415 for a FREE CONSULTATION.

Have you or a family member been the victim of a serious dog bite?

Nothing in this post is intended to suggest the Law Offices of Paul W. Ralph currently represents anyone involved in the news story above. This posting should not be construed as legal advice or an opinion on the merit of any particular matter. A consultation is the best way to obtain an assessment of your potential case.