Articles Posted in Dog Bites

The San Diego District Attorney’s office has filed four misdemeanor criminal charges against a man who was caring for four pit bulls that were involved in a brutal dog attack last year. The incident occurred along a Valley Center trail. The dogs viciously attacked two brothers – Richard and John Garriston – who were running at the time. Jose Ledesma, 40, who was caring for his friend’s pit bulls, has been charged with two counts of failing to protect the public from the dogs and two counts of failing to restrain a dog. If convicted of all charges, Ledesma faces one year in jail and a $2,000 fine.

Following the incident, life has been difficult for Richard Garritson, according to the report. A competitive runner, Garritson was severely bitten in his arms and legs and had to undergo surgery. He told the newspaper soon after the attack that he thought he was going to die then and there.
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Four people, including an 11-year-old identified as Anthony Gonzalez, were injured during a dog attack involving two animals. According to a report in The Whittier Daily News, the dog bite incident occurred in the 7000 block of Greenleaf Avenue on July 16, 2012. Officials say the two dogs, which were a Siberian Husky and pit bull, live at a residence on Greenleaf Avenue. The dogs escaped from their home and bit Anthony who was walking home with his sister. Brian Urbina, 22, a jogger was bitten by the pit bull on his right hand. Hermina Hernandez, 62, who was walking to the store was bitten by the Siberian Husky and the pit bull. A transient was also attacked and bitten. The injuries were not life threatening.

My heart goes out to the injured victims of this dog bite incident. I wish them all the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
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A 5-year-old boy was seriously injured in an Orange County dog attack involving a mixed Labrador retriever. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the dog bite incident occurred in the 1800 block of West Elm Avenue in Anaheim the afternoon of July 9, 2012. Officials say the boy was at a neighbor’s house when the dog attacked him. He suffered serious facial injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment, but he is expected to recover. The neighbor, who was also the dog’s owner, turned the dog over to animal control and asked that the animal be put down.

My thoughts and prayers are with the young dog bite victim. I wish him the very best for a quick and complete recovery.
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A man in his 70s suffered serious injuries in a dog bite incident after a pit bull attacked him as he got off a bus in Hemet. According to The Press Enterprise, the dog attack occurred the morning of June 14, 2012 when the man was walking toward the Hemet Valley Mall. Officials say a pack of pit bulls came running out of a yard in his direction. The man was knocked to the ground and one of the dogs bit him repeatedly while the others ran around the area. A passer-by identified as Jeri Berglund, managed to put the man in her car and drove him to a hospital. The man was severely injured and in a state of shock, but is expected to recover.

Officers from the Ramona Humane Society visited the dog owner’s house at the intersection of Western and Latham avenues. They found seven pit bulls, which is a violation of the municipal code that only allows up to three dogs per home. The dog that bit the man was quarantined. A decision will be made later about whether the dog should be euthanized. Officials also said that the owners had recently gotten the attacking pit bull and were “very eager” to give it up. Authorities are considering citing the dog owners in connection with this attack.

Brutal Dog Attack

My heart goes out to this dog attack victim. I wish him the very best for a speedy physical and emotional recovery. I commend the good Samaritan, Berglund, who had the courage and the presence of mind to stop, pick up the victim and transport him to a hospital right away. She is truly a hero! The elderly man’s injuries could have been far worse had he not received her help.
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As part of the National Dog Bite Prevention Week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released information regarding the top 25 cities for dog attacks to letter carriers. According to a United States Postal Service press release, Los Angeles and San Diego top the list of cities where postal workers are attacked by dogs. In the year 2011, 83 postal workers were attacked in Los Angeles and 68 San Diego postal workers were bitten. Nationwide, 5,577 postal employees were attacked resulting in nearly $1.2 million in medical expenses.

Nationwide Dog Bite Statistics

According to the CDC, approximately 4.7 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year. More than half of those victims are children. In fact, officials say that children are three times more likely to be bitten by a neighborhood dog than adults. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported that over 29,000 reconstruction procedures were performed in 2011 as a result of dog bite incidents.
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Leesa Lyon was injured in a dog bite incident after three loose pit bulls attacked her and her teen daughter as they were walking back to their apartment. According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise, the dog attack occurred the night of May 14, 2012 in the 3900 block of Pierce Street. Officials say Lyon and her daughter were returning home from a high school awards ceremony. They got out of their car and were walking to their apartment when the three pit bulls charged at them. Witnesses who saw the attack called 911.

Lyon, who put herself between her daughter and the dogs, was bitten in the thighs and buttocks. The dogs have since been captured and quarantined. The dogs, all female, have not been spayed or vaccinated. They are also unlicensed, officials say. The dogs earlier attacked a man who was taking out the trash. The man apparently had to take cover in the dumpster. Officials have identified the dog’s owner as Trevor Casserly, a resident at the apartment complex where the attack occurred. It is not clear if Casserly will face criminal charges in connection with this dog attack.

My heart goes out to Leesa Lyon and her daughter who had to endure this traumatic dog attack. I truly hope her injuries are not serious and wish her the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep Lyon and her daughter in your thoughts and prayers.
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