California Injury Blog
Ashlynn Anderson, 4-year-old daughter of reality TV show star Jesse Browning, was the victim of a fatal dog bite incident February 28, 2010. According to an Associated Press news report, Ashlynn was found by her mother badly injured on their lawn in Astoria. The girl had been attacked by one of the family’s own Rottweilers. Ashlynn was transported to a Portland hospital where she was pronounced dead. This tragic dog attack occurred just four months after animal control officers had taken a Rottweiler from the same home after it bit an adult family member. The two Rottweilers at the home have been quarantined. There is no word on whether any criminal charges will be filed against Ashlynn’s parents in this case.
My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved little Ashlynn for their tragic and devastating loss. I offer my deepest condolences to her family members. Please keep them in your prayers.
Dog Bite Statistics
According to Dogsbite.org, a Web site for dog attack victims nationwide, 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.
Pit Bulls and Rottweilers
In this particular case, it appears that there was a warning just months before this tragic fatality occurred. One of the Rottweilers had already bitten someone else in the house. It is not clear if that was the same dog that also mauled Ashlynn. This tragic story is yet another example of how dog owners’ love for their pets or animals can put them in a state of denial.
A number of cities and municipalities nationwide are starting to impose more stringent regulations on those who own aggressive breeds of dogs such as pit bulls and Rottweilers. Whatever arguments animal rights activists may present, statistics speak for themselves. Pit bulls and Rottweilers were responsible for nearly three-fourths of all fatal dog attacks in the United States over a three year period (2006-2008). This incident is certainly a wake-up call for all parents who have young children and dogs at home.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attack, please contact a reputed Oregon personal injury lawyer who has successfully represented dog bite victims. In such cases, victims could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages (if applicable), cost of cosmetic surgery and psychological counseling. Deceased victims’ families can also file wrongful death claims against dog owners whose negligence led to the attack.
The Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys 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.