Monday afternoon a two-year-old boy was killed by as many as five pit bulls in a Colton backyard. According to KTLA news, police were called to the home of the boy's uncle in the 700 block of West Citrus Avenue after receiving a report that someone had been killed by dogs. Police arrived to find the victim, Samuel "Eli" Zamudio, with extensive injuries to his upper body, clinging to life. The boy was rushed to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries. Two of the child's relatives, Eusulia Zamudio, 42, and Marco Zamudio, 23, were booked on charges of child endangerment leading to death, police said. The toddler had apparently climbed out a window and into the backyard where the tragic attack occurred. The police investigation has begun, and anyone with information should call Detective S. McFarland at (909) 370-5000.
The Owner's Responsibility
There is nothing more sickening and senseless than the accidental death of a child, a tragic loss that could have been prevented. The owners of these vicious dogs and those responsible for the welfare of this toddler may very well find themselves in serious trouble with the law. It seems likely these dogs were either trained to be aggressive or were not trained at all to be around small children. Either way, when you choose to have such potentially dangerous animals on your property, your duty of care is heightened. An owner or anyone else in control of vicious animals has an obligation to use the utmost care to prevent "great bodily harm or death" to a child. Not only can an owner be held civilly liable, but they can also be found guilty of a felony for child endangerment.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a vicious dog attack, contacting a dog bite lawyer might be the most important step toward to obtaining compensation for the injuries and damages sustained.
SOURCE: Boy, 2, Fatally Mauled by Pit Bulls in Colton; 2 Arrested, KTLA News, September 24, 2013, by John A. Moreno
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