Two-year-old Nathan Aguirre was killed in a dog bite incident in his San Bernardino home after he was attacked by the family's pit bull. According to a news report in The San Bernardino Sun, the incident occurred when Nathan, his father and the dogs had been playing the evening of May 27, 2010, and the dad went inside the house momentarily. When the mother came out to check on her child, she found the pit bull attacking him. Before he could be freed, Nathan had suffered severe head and neck injuries. The child died six hours after the dog attack. The district attorney will review the case to determine if any criminal negligence charges should be filed against the parents.

My heart goes out to the family of this little boy for their devastating loss. I offer my deepest condolences to them.

Dog Bite Statistics

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. Pit bulls were responsible for 56 percent of these attacks. This amounts to a pit bull killing an American every 21.5 days. Rottweilers accounted for 15 percent of dog bite fatalities during the same period. 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.

Liability Issues in Dog Bite Cases

This is no doubt a horrible tragedy. Families that own these dogs do not realize that they can be dangerous and can cause catastrophic injuries or even death, as it occurred in this case. Pit bulls and Rottweilers are very often in the news. But this incident is an important reminder to all parents, grandparents and caregivers that any breed of dog can turn dangerous at any time – even if you've had no problems with your dog before. Never leave your young children alone with an animal, even if it's just for a few seconds or for just a minute.

Remember, if your dog injures a child who is visiting or is under your watch, you could be held liable. California’s Civil Code Section 3342 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."

An experienced California personal injury lawyer will be able to advise victims about their legal rights and options. Please remember that the dog owner's homeowners insurance will also cover injuries and damages caused by dog bites.

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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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