Dog Bite

Published on: June 9, 2011

Fulton County City Imposes Dog Fee to Prevent Dog Bites, Injuries

It’s not going to be the most popular measure in the city of College Park in Fulton County as far as dog lovers are concerned, but it could help monitor a number of aggressive breeds, reducing the incidence of bites involving these breeds.The City of College Park has imposed a new dog fee on owners of certain breeds of dogs. As an Atlanta personal injury attorney, I very much welcome the new fee. The is a high frequency of dog bites among certain breeds and city and county governments need to take action.

College Park Council member Ambrose Clay began pushing for the ordinance after reports of two dog bite incidents in his area over the last year.The ordinance will go into effect on the 1^st of July, when owners of certain breeds that the city has already decided are potentially dangerous, must pay an annual $25 fee.This fee must be paid even if the dog has never been involved in an attack or bite incident before.The breeds that are included in this ordinance include, not surprisingly,many breeds which are often involved in dog bite incidents in Atlanta.Several pit bull mixes including American pit bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers and American Staffordshire terriers are included in the list of dogs.Other breeds also include Dobermen, German Shepherds and Rottweilers.Besides owners of these breeds, owners of dogs that have been involved in a bite incident are also required to register their dog in the registry.

As expected, dog owners who own these breeds in College Park, have been upset.However, the College Park Council believes that this fee system will enable the city to track and monitor the movement of aggressive breeds, especially those that are involved in bite incidents. See, http://www.cbsatlanta.com/story/14842402/dog-owners-face-fee

Published on: May 14, 2011

Increase in Cost of Dog bite Claims due To Higher Dog Bite Lawsuit Verdicts

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

New information by the Insurance Information Institute suggests that there has been an increase in the cost of dog bite claims over the past year.The average dog bite claim cost insurers about 5% more in 2010 compared to 2009. Dog bites often result in extremely serious personal injuries. Our office has handled a significant number of dog bite cases in the last 20 years. The injuries from these matters appear to be becoming more and more severe. This may be as a result of more individuals owning dogs for protection or certain breeds that are more likely to attack persons. As an Atlanta injury lawyer, I strongly support the need for obedience training for dogs when they are puppies. I believe this would greatly reduce the number of overall attacks.

The analysis of homeowners’ insurance data by the Insurance Information Institute found that the average cost of dog bite claims in the United States in 2010 was $26,166.That’s an increase of 5.3% from $24,840 in 2009. The cost of dog bite claims increased a staggering 37% between 2003 and 2010.

There was a drop in the number of dog bite claims being filed.These dropped 4.9% from 16,586 claims in 2009 to 15,770 claims in 2010.

Published on: April 22, 2011

Atlanta Children Escape Injuries After Ferocious Dog Bite attack

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

A young boy waiting at the bus stop in southwest Atlanta had a miraculous escape after a dog bite attack by a pair of Rottweilers.The boy, who was about eight or nine years old was standing at the bus stop waiting for his bus, when the two dogs turned up and the dog bite attack occurred.Another child was also waiting at the bus stop, but managed to escape.Fortunately for the boy, a neighbor was able to scare the dogs away. As an Atlanta injury attorney, I have often found that dog bite attacks often result in extremely serious personal injuries.

Both of the dogs belonged to separate dog owners.Both the dog owners have been cited by the Fulton County Animal Control and the dogs have been removed from the neighborhood.

Children are the biggest victims of dog bites in Atlanta.According to the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention, approximately 4.5 million Americans suffer dog bites every year.Of these, one in five bites result in injuries that are serious enough to require medical attention.Among child victims of dog bites, the rate of injuries is highest in children in the age group of 5 to 9.Besides, children are much more likely to require medical attention after a dog bite.

Published on: December 12, 2010

Study Shows Increase in Serious Dog Bite Injuries

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

A new study shows an increase in the numbers of people being hospitalized after suffering a dog bite. Statisticians from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality looked at dog bite data between 1993 and 2008. They found that the number of people who needed hospitalization after a dog bite actually grew by 86%.

In 1993, 5,100 people had to be rushed to the hospital after a dog bite, and that number ballooned to 9,500 cases in 2008. Every day, an approximate 856 Americans are forced to seek emergency treatment after a dog bite. Of these, an average of 26 are admitted to the hospital for treatment of their injuries.

Other findings from the study:

Published on: October 8, 2010

Georgia Car Accident Linked to Dog Attack

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Georgia Car Accident Linked to Dog Attack

Police in Henry County are looking for the owner of a pit bull linked to a fatal accident that killed a 14-year-old girl in McDonough.The tragedy unfolded when the girl identified as Miracle Parham, was walking to school earlier this week.She came across a pit bull on the road.The animal began to get aggressive with her, and the young girl backed out into the street.Just then, she was struck by a car, and sustained fatal injuries.

Police will not be pursuing charges against the car driver, but they are actively looking for the owner of the pit bull.They have already spoken with neighbors in the area, and it seems that there are at least two persons in the vicinity who own aggressive pit bulls.In fact, these animals have, in the past, managed to claw their way out from under the fence, and run out onto the street where they intimidated passersby and children.Not surprisingly, both the owners now deny that the dog that chased Miracle belonged to them. The investigation is focusing on these dog owners.

Published on: August 24, 2010

Dog Bite Claims on the Rise; Insurers Pinched

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Insurers Concerned over Increase in Dog Bite Claims

Insurance companies are beginning to feel the bite as a nationwide increase in dog bite claims chews away at bottom lines.

In 2009, there was an increase of 6.4% in the amount that insurers had to pay out to settle dog bite claims.Companies paid out $412 million to cover dog bite claims in 2009, compared to the previous year, when the payout was $387.2 million.The average dog bite claim in 2009 exceeded $24,000 for the third year in a row.The number of claims increased to 16,586 – an increase of 4.8%.

Published on: July 7, 2010

Pit Bulls Attack Douglas County Woman

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Douglas County Woman Has Surgery after Dog Bite Injuries

A woman, who sustained serious injuries after she was attacked by a trio of pit bulls in Douglas County had to undergo surgery this week. The 56-year-old woman was on a morning walk on Monday when she was attacked by the three pit bulls.

The three dogs were on the porch, and when the woman passed by, they jumped on her. It was a ferocious attack by all accounts, and the woman was knocked to the ground and mauled on her face and arms. Passersby used sticks and stones to try and beat the dogs off of her, but the woman suffered serious injuries. She was rushed to the hospital where she has now undergone surgery. However, she could be looking at a long recovery period ahead.

Published on: May 13, 2010

Dog Bite Prevention

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The week from May 16 to May 22 is being commemorated as National Dog Bite Prevention Week nationwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is drawing attention to the fact that more than 1.4 million Americans suffer dog bites every year, a majority of them children.

One particular fact that the CDC wants to draw extra attention to this year, is that most people bitten by a dog have a pet dog in the household. That means your chances of being bitten are higher if you have a pet dog at home. In fact, according to the CDC, your chances of being involved in a dog bite increases with the number of dogs in your home.

It makes sense that people with little children at home should preferably have fewer numbers of dogs. It also makes sense that certain dog breeds are not suited to households with little children. If you’re looking to buy a puppy, make sure that you talk to a professional about this decision. If you can find an animal behaviorist in your area, then consult one about the breed of dog that’s suited your household.

Published on: April 23, 2010

Macon Police Investigating Series of Dog Bites

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Macon Police Investigating Series of Dog Bites

Macon police have been investigating two separate dog bite incidents this week.

Both incidents occurred in South Macon. The first incident involved a man who was attacked by a pack of pit bulls. According to the man, he was walking along when the group of dogs attacked him with no provocation. Residents in the area were able to hear his cries for help, and respond. There is no information about the owner of the dog. By the time officers arrived at the scene, the dogs had disappeared, and officers were unable to trace them.

Published on: March 11, 2010

Child Criticallly Injured in Dog Attack in DeKalb County

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

An eight-year-old girl has suffered critical injuries in an attack involving two dogs outside her home in DeKalb County.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Erin Ingraham was playing outside her home on Tuesday afternoon when she was approached by two Staffordshire Terriers. The dogs attacked her, and officers who responded to the scene had to use batons to pry the animals off the little child. The two dogs then attacked the officer, upon which the dog was shot and killed. The second dog ran away from the scene and was later captured by animal control officers.

The owner of the dog has been located and is likely to face charges. Erin suffered serious injuries that required vascular and plastic surgery. This has been a horrific attack by any standards, and we wish Erin a speedy and complete recovery. Unfortunately, it looks like Erin has a long recuperation period ahead of her. The next few weeks, or even months, are not going to be easy.