California Injury Blog
Two people, a man and a woman, were injured in a dog bite incident after they were assailed by two pit bulls in Oakland. According to a news report in the East Bay Times, the dog attack occurred the morning of November 17, 2017 in the 2600 block of 63rd Avenue near Bancroft Avenue. The woman, 53 and man, 71, suffered deep puncture wounds including to their faces and heads. Both were transported to an area hospital were said to be in stable condition.
Horrific Dog Attack
According to officials, the woman was in a back lot with her dog (also a pit bull) when two other pit bulls from a nearby resident first attacked her dog and then her. They continued to attack the woman even after she fell to the ground. The man heard her screams for help and came to her rescue. He tried to ward off the dogs using a mop, but was unable to do so. The dogs knocked him to the ground and severely bit him. By then, the dogs’ owners showed up and were able to stop the carnage. The woman’s pit bull was killed in the attack.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured victims of this horrific dog bite incident. We wish them the best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bite injuries are often severe and traumatic. When more than one dog attacks the injuries are more severe because the victim is outnumbered and powerless in the face of such a brutal attack. Some of the common injuries suffered by victims in dog attacks include lacerations, puncture wounds, bite marks, bone fractures, head or back injuries and nerve injuries.
Recovery from these injuries could take a significant amount of time depending on their nature and extent. In some severe cases, victims must undergo amputations and suffer permanent injuries such as scarring or disfigurement. In addition to the physical injuries, dog bit victims also endure significant psychological trauma that may not go away even with counseling and therapy.
Liability Issues
California law has a strict liability statute when it comes to dog attacks. This means that dog owners can be held financially responsible for the injuries, damages and losses their pets cause. Dog owners have a responsibility to keep their pets confined within their properties. All cities including Oakland have leash laws, which require dog owners to keep their pets on a leash when they are in public.
Injured victims of dog bites can seek compensation from negligent dog owners for damages including medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, pain and suffering and emotional distress. An experienced California dog bite lawyer can help injured victims and their families the compensation they need and rightfully deserve.
Source: http://www.eastbaytimes.com/2017/11/17/pit-bulls-attack-and-severely-injure-two-people-kill-dog-in-oakland/