A woman shot and killed a pit bull during a dog bite incident the morning of June 19, 2010, CBS News report. The dog attack occurred at 835 West Rosecrans Avenue in South Los Angeles. Police say a woman and her dog were about to go for a walk when two pit bulls suddenly attacked, lunging at her basset hound. The two pit bulls did not stop attacking the woman's dog even as she tried to rescue it. So she went back into her apartment, brought a gun, shot and killed one of the two pit bulls that were attacking her dog. The pit bull died. The extent of the basset hound's injuries is not known. It is also not clear whether the second pit bull was injured.

It is indeed fortunate that the woman was not seriously injured in this dog attack. Usually dogs that attack in pairs or packs cause a lot more damage. We are seeing more and more of these attacks today. I'm glad that the woman was able to defend her pet from the pit bulls.

Statistics Involving Dog Bites

According to data released by Seattle-based dog bite victims' advocacy group, Dogsbite.org, during the five-year period between January 1, 2005 and March 8, 2010, 158 dog attacks took place in the United States. Contrary to what pit bull activists and admirers will tell you, statistics show that this breed was responsible for 56 percent of these dog attacks. Together, pit bulls and Rottweilers accounted for 70 percent of all dog attacks. The numbers also show that there were 32 dog bite-related deaths in 2009 – 14 caused by pit bulls, and four by Rottweilers.

Strict Liability Statute
In this particular case, we do not know who the dog owner was. Why were the two dogs running loose in the neighborhood. There is no question that irresponsible dog owners are also a big part of the problem. In California, dog owners can be held financially responsible for any personal injuries caused by their pets under the "strict liability law," which 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." (California Civil Code section 3342).
Injured dog bite victims would be well-advised to consult an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will advise them about their legal rights and options. Injured victims could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of earnings, cost of hospitalization, cosmetic surgery, pain and suffering, and psychological counseling.

Should officials start requiring pit bull owners comply with stricter regulations?

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 information source 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, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

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