A 3-year-old girl has been hospitalized with serious injuries she suffered in an Orange County dog bite incident after she was mauled by her family's pit bull in the backyard of their home in Fullerton, California. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the dog attack occurred the night of September 7, 2009 when the toddler was in the backyard. Her mother had apparently brought the dog food and left. The girl remained with the pit bull, which was chained.

The girl's father and her 11-year-old brother were inside watching television and the mother was in the kitchen washing dishes when they heard screaming and saw the pit bull standing over the girl. The child sustained cuts and wounds to her face and neck. She was taken to area hospital where she remains in the pediatric intensive care unit. Fullerton police officials say this dog bite incident is being investigated as a child neglect case.

My heart goes out to the young child who was brutally mauled by this apparently vicious dog. I hope and pray that this little girl makes a quick and complete recovery. Please keep her in your prayers.

Dog Bite Statistics

According to a recent dog bite report released by a Seattle dog bite victims advocacy group called DogsBite.org, there were 373 incidents in which United States law enforcement officers and citizens were forced to shoot a dangerous pit bull to prevent a dog attack or stop an ongoing dog attack. The group reports that 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). This dog bite fatality finding is more or less consistent with an earlier report released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, which states that pit bulls and rottweilers together account for 60 percent of fatal dog attacks.

This Orange County dog bite incident makes us ask again, whether pit bulls and rottweilers are safe to keep as pets. Although pit bull activist groups would argue and have you believe that these are adorable dogs, what we see and hear in the news almost on a daily basis proves otherwise. In my opinion, these breeds of dogs are like a loaded gun. If and when they go off--and you never know when--the consequences can be devastating and even lethal.

Strict Liability in Dog Bite Cases

In this case, the dog was owned by the victim's family. If this pit bull had attacked a neighbor's child or anyone visiting the household or in a public place, the dog owner could be held liable for those injuries. Families that lose loved ones to dog attacks may also be able to file wrongful death claims. California has what is known as a "strict liability statute" when it comes to dog bites. California's Civil Code Section 3342 states: "The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner's knowledge of such viciousness."

Victims who have been seriously injured by dog bites would be well-advised to consult an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer who will help hold the negligent parties accountable. The best Orange County personal injury law firms will provide a free and comprehensive initial consultation to dog bite victims and/or their families.

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 source for the facts 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, please contact us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. Most of the best law firms will provide accident victims a free consultation.

We cannot fully inform any party or family member about their rights, options or the economic viability of any claim for compensation without a full investigation and consultation. We will not be conducting an investigation into this matter unless we are retained by a party. We will provide a free, confidential consultation to any, not at fault, person named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

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