Most Washington dog bite lawyers have seen a number of victims from serious dog bites. Nine-year-old Triston Jett of Finley, Washington, suffered severe facial injuries in a vicious May 1, 2009 Washington dog attack. Benton County Sheriff's officials say it was a serious dog bite and that young Triston is lucky to be alive. According to a news article in the Seattle Times, Triston's mother Shanda Reed told police that he was walking back home from a friend's house when a neighborhood dog, a medium-size border collie mix, attacked him. Reed said the dog "tore up his face." Triston had to get 20 stitches to close up the wounds on his face.

Officials apparently found the dog the day after the attack and declared it "dangerous." It will be chained or placed in a kennel at the owner's residence for the next 10 days for observation.

My heart goes out to Triston Jett, the young dog bite victim. I can only imagine the pain and suffering this boy must be going through because of a negligent dog owner. I hope and pray that he quickly and completely recovers from his injuries. Young dog attack victims often need plastic surgery to fix scars and personal injuries, especially if they have suffered facial injuries.

According to a study by Dogsbite.org, there were 23 reported dog bite fatalities in the United States in 2008. Nearly 70 percent of the dog attacks occurred to children (11 years and under) and 30 percent occurred to adults (21 and older). Of the children, about half of the dog attacks were on children 1-year-old or younger.

Washington has a "strict liability statute" when it comes to dog bites, which means that the dog owner is responsible for injuries caused by his or her dog. The Revised Code of Washington, section 16.08.040 states: "The owner of any dog which shall bite any person while such person is in or on a public place or lawfully in or on a private place including the property of the owner of such a dog, shall be liable for such damages as may be suffered by the person bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of such dog or the owner's knowledge of such viciousness."

Triston Jett's family would be well advised to contact an experienced Washington dog bite lawyer, who will hold the negligent dog owner responsible for his actions. This dog owner must be held criminally and civilly accountable for such irresponsible behavior -- allowing the dog to roam around the neighborhood. Triston could be eligible to receive compensation for medical expenses, plastic surgery, pain and suffering and emotional distress. Washington Dog attacks cause deep physical and emotional wounds in both adults and children. I hope this child makes a quick physical and emotional recovery.

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