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.

Pregnant Woman Attacked and Killed By Pit Bull

A young pregnant woman was found dead in her Pacifica home Thursday afternoon from an apparent attack by a pit bull.  According to a report by KTLA news, the victim, 32 year-old Darla Norpa, was found unresponsive by her husband who arrived home from work at around noon.  One of the family's two pit bulls was near Norpa's body, covered in blood.  The second dog was discovered cowering in a corner of the home.  When emergency personnel arrived on scene the bloodied dog, Gunner, approached them in the front yard and was then shot three times by officers.   According to a spokesperson for the Peninsula Human Society, he had not seen anything like this in his 13 years with the society.


See the full KTLA story and photograph HERE.


The above story is a stark reminder of the danger posed by vicious dogs, especially when they possess the power and the bite of a pit bull.  This particular breed is notorious for causing serious injuries and death because of its aggression and propensity for locking on to its victims during an attack.  In fact, pit bulls have been involved in more fatal human attacks than any other breed of dog.


As for dog bites in general, according to the Centers for Disease Control,  aggressive dogs pose a significant health and safety issue:

• About 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year.
• Almost one in five of those who are bitten :a total of 885,000: require medical attention for dog bite-related injuries.
• In 2006, more than 31,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery as a result of being bitten by dogs.

See the official CDC website.


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


Have you or a family member been a victim of a dog attack?

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.