Despite their cute and fuzzy faces, not all dogs are as friendly as they seem. Dog bites can lead to serious injuries and even death, especially when small children are involved, which is why, as dedicated dog attack victim attorneys in Scottsdale, we encourage everyone to use caution around dogs. The Humane Society of the United States offers several tips for avoiding dog bites:
- Do not approach unfamiliar dogs, especially if they are confined.
- Dogs have a natural chase instinct, so never walk away from a dog with your back turned.
- Do not touch a dog while it is eating. Some dogs will bite if they feel threatened.
- Some dogs play rough with chew toys, bones and other items. Do not try to touch a dog during rough play.
- Avoid making eye contact with a dog that is acting in an aggressive manner.
- If you encounter an aggressive dog, do not run away or scream. Make as few movements as possible and keep your arms at your sides to show the dog you are not a threat.
- If the dog makes a move to attack you, allow it to have your purse, lunch bag, jacket or any other item you can use to protect yourself.
- If the dog knocks you over, do not scream or flail around. Protect your head and remain as still as possible.
Dog bites can cause serious disfigurement, especially if a dog attacks your face. Bites can also lead to infection and other complications. If someone else’s dog attacked you, contact the Arizona personal injury attorneys at The Breyer Law Offices P.C. We will work hard to help you recover compensation to pay for the medical care required to repair the wound, prevent infection and repair any disfigurement. Call us at (602) 457-6222. You can also follow us on our Arizona Law Team Twitter account for news, useful information or other topics of interest.
The United States Postal Service has issued a report stating that Phoenix is tied for sixth in the nation when it comes to the most number of mail carriers bitten by dogs. The report states that there were 38 dog attacks on mail carriers in Phoenix in the year 2010. According to a news report by The East Valley Tribune, local authorities believe that dangerous dog attacks are a serious problem in the Phoenix area. Mail carriers are often given warnings about certain communities where there is a potential for dog attacks. Mail carriers are also allowed to carry dog spray. But these precautions may not be sufficient to prevent all vicious dog attacks.
Officials believe that this high number of mail carrier dog attacks in Phoenix could be due to a high number of loose dogs and the fact that there are many walking routes for mail carriers. Not only is it important for mail carriers to recognize the risks and potential dangers, but is also critical that dog owners realize and fulfill their responsibilities.
Dogs should not be allowed to run loose in the neighborhood. If a dog has had a prior history of viciousness, the owner should muzzle the dog or keep it restrained. Under Arizona Statutory strict liability law 11-1025, a dog owner may be held liable for the damages their dog, whether or not the dog has a history of violent or vicious behavior. Injured dog bite victims can seek compensation from the owner for damages including all medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of cosmetic surgery, pain and suffering and emotional distress.
The knowledgeable Phoenix dog bite lawyers at The Breyer Law Offices P.C help injured dog bite victims get the compensation they need and rightfully deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog bite, please contact us at 602-457-6222 for a free, comprehensive and confidential consultation.
If you or your family member has been bitten by a dog in Arizona, it is important that you understand your legal rights. It is also crucial that you take actions that will ensure that your rights will be protected in the future. What you do soon after a dog attack in Arizona can also affect the amount of compensation you receive for injuries, damages and losses sustained in the attack. Here are some tips on what you can do soon after you or a loved one has been attacked by a dog:
- First, identify the dog. It is important to find out who the owner or caretaker is. Negligent dog owners who fail to restrain their pets can be held financially responsible for the injuries, damages and losses caused. Gather information about the dog including the name and address of the dog owner, the dog’s license information and whether it had a prior history of viciousness.
- Seek medical attention immediately. The risk of infection from a dog bite must not be ignored. You may need stitches or sometimes even surgeries to repair the bite or puncture wounds.
- File a report with the city or county animal control department. This provides legal documentation for your case.
- Make sure you photograph your injuries. Take photos of all your wounds including torn and bloody clothing and the location where the attack occurred.
- Maintain a journal. Record your thoughts for the first few weeks after the attack. Write about the pain you felt, the treatments you underwent and the stress level you felt during this time.
- Contact an attorney. The best time to contact an Arizona dog bite attorney is now, not later. The legal issues surrounding dog attacks can be complex. An experienced personal injury lawyer will fight for your rights and help protect your best interests.
The skilled Phoenix dog bite lawyers of The Breyer Law Offices P.C. have successfully represented dog bite victims and helped them obtain fair and full compensation for all medical expenses, lost wages and even cost of cosmetic surgery, which may not be covered by insurance. Call us today at 602-457-6222 to obtain more information about your legal rights and options.
Three people were injured after they were attacked by two pit bulls on a Phoenix street. According to AZFamily.com, the dog attack occurred near Union Hills Drive and 22nd Avenue in Phoenix. The two pit bulls first attacked a small dog, then the dog’s 49-year-old male owner and owner’s son, and then went after a 63-year-old man about half a mile away. All three people were hospitalized for bite injuries. It is unclear who owned the dogs. Police are looking for the owner or owners of the dogs, which were running loose in the neighborhood. The small dog that was attacked had to be put down due to the seriousness of its injuries.
Arizona has a strict liability statute when it comes to dog attacks. This means that dog owners, whose pets cause injuries, will be held financially liable for those injuries, unless the attack was provoked in some way or the injured party was trespassing on the dog owner’s property. Under Arizona Statute 11-1025: “The owner of a dog which bites a person when the person is in or on a public place or lawfully in or on a private place…is liable for damages suffered by the person bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog.”
In cases where the dog’s owner is not found, the injured victim may still pursue compensation by filing a claim with his or her own insurance policy. Whether the dog owner is found or not, injured victims of Arizona dog bites would be well advised to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney to ensure that their rights are protected.
The knowledgeable Phoenix dog bite attorneys at Breyer Law Offices P.C. have an excellent track record of holding negligent dog owners accountable and obtaining fair compensation for victims. In such cases, injured victims can seek compensation for medical expenses, loss of earnings, cosmetic surgery and emotional distress. Call us today at 602-978-6400 to find out how we can help.
Unfortunately, many people have had an experience with being bitten by a dog or a dog running after them. Pit bull, Rottweiler, and other breed attacks result in maiming or other serious injury 75% of the time. Out of all breeds, pit bulls have the highest percentage of incidents of a biting a person. Some of these dog bites can result in death and in fact, the fatalities of pit bull dog bites are higher than maiming injuries at 80%.
The severity of dog attacks was proven as a girl was bitten by a pit bull mix in Buckeye, Arizona recently. The girl was only 9-years-old and suffered a gaping wound in her forearm after the dog bit her.
It all started when the girl asked a man if she could pet his dogs. The man turned out not to be the actual dogs’ owner. One of the dogs latched on to the girl and bit her forearm. After the biting incident, the girl went home with the severe injury and collapsed after walking into the house.
Dogs can be unpredictable and have different attitudes with other dogs and people. There are not always signs to telling when or if a dog is going to bite. Even those dogs that are properly trained still have instincts that are never 100% overcome. As a safety precaution, do not pet dogs other than yours, even if you receive permission from the owner. Dog bites and injuries may result to fatality, so don’t take it for granted.
In Arizona it doesn’t matter if a dog has never attacked someone before; there is no “one bite free” law. Within the first year after a dog bite injury, the victim can pursue a suit against the dog owner. After one year passes, dog owners can use other defenses; so if you have been a victim of a dog bite attack, it is important to act quickly in order to prevent those defenses from being used after 1 year. Call (480) 753-4534 so our Arizona child dog bite attorneys can advise you in regard to any problems you are encountering regarding a dog bite or attack.
Victims of Arizona dog attacks often suffer serious injuries that require expensive medical care, plastic surgery and time away from work. Injured victims of these vicious attacks may wonder what actions to take and who is responsible for their medical bills.
Arizona law places liability for dog bite incidents directly on the dog owner. This is known as the “strict liability statute.” There are very few situations where the dog owner may not be held liable. Under Arizona Statute 11-1025: “The owner of a dog which bites a person when the person is in or on a public place or lawfully in or on a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, is liable for damages suffered by the person bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of its viciousness.”
In short, this statute means that as long as the victim was not illegally trespassing at the time of the attack, the dog’s owner may be held liable for the actions of their pet. This does not mean that the owner is automatically 100 percent responsible for the attack. In cases where the attack was provoked, it will be much more difficult for the victim to seek full compensation.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a dog attack, it is advisable to speak to a skilled Phoenix dog bite attorney at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. Contact us at 602-978-6400 for a free consultation and a thorough case evaluation.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the odds that a dog attack victim will be a child are 3.2 to 1. Because of their height, children are most likely to be bitten on the face and neck. This means that children are the most common victims of dog bites and often suffer serious facial and head injuries.
Recently, a 10-year-old boy was attacked by three dogs in Arizona City. According to The Arizona City Independent, the dog attack occurred at South Reef Road and Guaymas Drive as the victim and his younger brother were walking home from a school bus stop. The boy suffered dog bites from head to toe resulting in ear, neck, torso, leg and facial injuries. The victim’s parents have stated that the neighbors who stopped the attack saved the boy’s life. The dogs — two pit bulls and one Rottweiler — are being checked for rabies. It is unclear if the dogs will be euthanized or if the dog owners will face charges for the vicious attack.
Parents of children who are hurt by dangerous dogs often face substantial medical bills. If it is determined that the dog owner is negligent, they can be held financially responsible for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma.
The experienced Phoenix dog attack lawyers of the Breyer Law Offices, P.C. have successfully represented young Arizona dog bite victims and their families. If your child has been injured in a dog attack, please contact out law offices to learn more about your legal rights and options. Call us today at 602-978-6400 for a free, comprehensive and confidential consultation.
ABC 15 News reports that a 10-year-old boy was severely mauled by three dogs Wednesday afternoon, January 19.
According to a spokesperson with the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, the dog bite attack occurred around 3:30 p.m. in Arizona City. The boy had just gotten off a school bus with several other children when three dogs approached them. The children yelled at the dogs to attempt to get the animals to leave them alone while they walked. The 10-year-old boy then yelled for the children, including his 5-year-old brother, to run for help as the dogs attacked him and began to maul him. The boy was badly bitten in the face, neck, torso, and legs.
After calling for help, the children returned and began to kick the dogs. Neighbors came and hit the dogs with baseball bats to stop the Arizona dog bite attack. The dogs then ran away, but were caught soon after by the Pinal County Animal Control, and the animals will be held as an investigation into the incident continues. Authorities have said they are in contact with the owner of the dogs.
The 10-year-old boy has reportedly lost an ear and a part of his cheek. The boy is in a medically-induced coma at the Phoenix Children’s Hospital and his family has stated he will be hospitalized for about a week.
If it is determined that the dogs’ owner failed to properly restrain the animals, they could be held legally responsible for the Arizona dog bite attack. The injured boy and his family could potentially receive compensation for hospital bills, ongoing medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages. Anyone who has been injured in a dog bite attack in Arizona may want to consult with an Arizona dog bite attack attorney to learn whether they have a substantial case against a dog’s owner following an attack. Contact The Breyer Law Offices P.C. by calling 520-624-4228 to learn more about your legal rights.
There are over 77 million dogs in the United States, which means most people have a very high chance of encountering a dog on a daily basis. Unfortunately, every year approximately 4.7 million people in the U.S. are bitten by dogs. While it is true some dogs are inherently aggressive and prone to bite, oftentimes dog bite attacks can be avoided if the proper safety measures are taken.
When around an unfamiliar dog, there are several precautionary safety tips you can observe to potentially prevent an Arizona dog bite attack from occurring:
- You should not approach an unfamiliar dog—you don’t know how the animal will react.
- You should never run from the animal, as this can encourage the dog to chase you.
- If you are approached by an unfamiliar animal, you should remain motionless as to not startle the dog and potentially cause them to attack.
- You should avoid engaging in direct eye contact with an unfamiliar animal, as this can make the dog uncomfortable and may result in an Arizona dog bite attack.
- You should never pet a dog without allowing the animal to first sniff you.
- You should not disturb a dog that is eating, sleeping, or taking care of its puppies.
- You should not allow children to play with a dog unless they are properly supervised.
- If a dog does knock you over, you should roll into a ball and remain still.
- If you see any stray dogs, you should immediately report the animal to police or to an animal control agency.
If you have been bitten by a dog in Arizona and believe the attack occurred due to the dog owner’s negligence, contact the Scottsdale dog bite attack attorneys at The Breyer Law Offices P.C. Our lawyers can help brief you on the legal options available to you in pursuing a case against a dog’s owner and will work hard to obtain just compensation for your injuries. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 480-753-4534.
The Humane Society of the United States reports the results of a National Pet Owners Survey in 2009 discovered that there are about 77.5 million dogs in the United States. Approximately 39 percent of all households in the U.S. own at least one dog. It is not a surprise then to learn that there is a relatively high occurrence of dog bite injuries in the U.S.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year, approximately 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs every year. The CDC reports that about 800,000 Americans seek medical attention at local hospitals for dog bite injuries every year, and about half of these are young children. Around half of those that are injured, about 386,000 require emergency treatment. There are about 16 fatalities as a result of dog bite injuries annually.
Often, Arizona dog bite attacks result in the following hand, neck, and face injuries: lacerations; punctures; abrasions; tissue loss; fractured bones; crush injuries; nerve damage, and a risk of infections occurring such as rabies. A victim of a dog bite attack can also suffer severe scarring from their injuries.
In a dog bite attack in Arizona, the owner of the animal may be able to be held legally liable for a victim’s injuries, depending on factors such as whether the victim was aware of the dog’s behavior, whether the dog was provoked, and in which city or county the attack occurred. Compensation may be obtained by victims of a dog bite attack in Arizona to cover such expenses as hospital bills and pain and suffering.
If you have been injured in a dog bite attack in Arizona, contact the Arizona dog bite attack lawyers at The Breyer Law Offices P.C. We can help you conclude whether you have a substantial case against the dog’s owner. Call us today at 480-753-4534 to find out how we can help.
