The Pet Food Institute estimates that there are more than 74 million dogs in the United States, with many residing in large residential areas like the Inland Empire. While most dogs are harmless and loving, there is a sad precedent for aggression when it comes to certain of these canines, often due to mistreatment of the animals by their owners. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 4.7 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year, which means that each of us has a one in fifty chance of being attacked by a dog this year. While only about 30 bites result in death each year; however, in 2010 there were 8 deaths in California alone. In addition to fatalities, over 1,000 people are sent to the hospital each day due to injuries inflicted by dogs. Furthermore, even non-lethal dog bites can result in serious injuries, which in turn may lead to lasting marks or impairments, such as scarring, disfigurement, or even permanent nerve damage. In addition to those physical consequences, there is often lasting psychological trauma linked with animal attacks.

The American Medical Association, the Insurance Information Institute, and the Center for Disease Control have compiled several facts regarding dog attacks:

• Dogs bite males an average of twice as often as they do females.
• Dog bites are the second leading cause of childhood injury.
• 77% of dog bite injuries to children afflict their facial areas.
• The average hospital stay for a dog bite injury is just shy of four days.
• Dogs that are licensed with identifiable owners are implicated in the majority of dog bites.
• Over a twenty year span, dog attacks have resulted in more than 300 human deaths in the United States. Unfortunately, most of the victims continue to be children.

It is any dog owner’s responsibility to watch over their animals and see to it that they are restrained safely. If you are in a public area when assaulted, or if you are legally in attendance on private property (where the majority of bites occur), then the dog’s owner may be liable for any injuries or deaths resulting from the attack. Some situations wherein victims can claim recompense include:

• Violation of a leash law or a law prohibiting dogs from "running at large" caused the attack.
• A dog owner’s inattention or negligence facilitated or prompted the attack.
• An owner kept a dog while knowing that the animal had injured people in the past.

Too many dog owners in the Inland Empire and elsewhere fail to control their dogs yet aren’t held responsible for the physical injuries and the mental distress caused by their dog’s vicious behavior. If you or someone you love has been a victim of one of these brutal attacks, don’t let another day pass without calling us and starting down the road to justice. Clients of Johnson Attorneys Group are well taken care of by our expert lawyers and staff. We will lead you through the case to obtain the full recovery and compensation that you deserve. Please give us a call today—it’s free!