dog bites in Georgia

Published on: September 28, 2015

Georgia a Leading State for Dog Bites

Georgia residents continue to be at a high risk of dog bites. In a recent study by State Farm, Georgia ranked at number nine in a list of the top 10 states in the country for dog bite incidences.

New statistics released reported by the insurer showed that State Farm paid out $3.8 million for 116 dog bite-related injury claims in Georgia in 2014. That places Georgia at number nine on the list of top 10 states for dog bite claims in the country. State Farm did not provide more data about the injury claims or the breeds of dogs that were involved in these attacks.

The high rate of dog bites in Georgia is a serious problem for residents of the Peach State, especially because dog bite laws here make it much more difficult for plaintiffs to recover damages after a bite, compared to other states. In California, for instance, the law allows for strict liability in dog bite claims. That means that a person who has been injured in a dog bite can recover damages, even if it was the dog’s first bite and even if the owner had no previous knowledge of his dog’s vicious tendencies.

Published on: April 8, 2013

Summer Means Increased Risk of Dog Bites Involving Georgia Children

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Warm Georgia weather brings more children out to play in parks and playgrounds, as well as an increased number of dog owners walking their pets.Unfortunately, this combination always increases the number of dog bites involving children.

In addition, the issue of dog bites and children is likely to be more prominent in our state after a recent incident involving a pet store altercation where a small child was bitten by a dog.The child and his mother were at the store when the child reached out to pet a little dog.The animal attacked him, leaving the child with serious injuries, including 9 stitches on his nose.

When a witness tried to stop the two men who owned the dog from leaving the store, one of them allegedly brandished a weapon, and threatened him before they drove away.

Published on: January 13, 2012

Columbus Toddler Recovering after Dog Bite Attack

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

A two-year-old girl in Columbus is recovering after a ferocious dog bite involving a Rottweiler. Unfortunately, dog bite attacks are all too common today. As a personal injury attorney who has regularly handled dog bite cases, I know that these animal attacks often result in serious and permanent personal injury to the victims. There have been a number of dog bite incidents which have resulted in the wrongful death of the individual.

The attack occurred on Friday afternoon, when the toddler was walking home with her grandmother.She saw the dog behind a fence, and wanted to play with it.By the time the grandmother could reach the little girl, she had already opened the door, and was playing with the dog.The animal attacked her, leaving her with several bite wounds and ripping off part of her scalp.

The toddler had to be rushed to the hospital, where doctors worked to reattach her scalp.She needed several skin grafts.She’s also expected to require more surgery to sew more skin back on.Police don’t expect to file any charges at this point.The dog has been taken into animal control’s custody.

Published on: June 9, 2011

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

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

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: 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: 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: 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.

Published on: February 25, 2010

Elderly Woman Escapes Injuries in Dog Attack in Marietta

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Elderly Woman Escapes Injuries in Dog Attack in Marietta

An elderly woman, who was chased by a pair of pit bulls as she walked her dog outside her Marietta apartment building, was lucky enough to escape without any serious bites. The dogs are currently in the possession of Cobb County animal control officers.

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the woman was walking her dog in the breezeway of her apartment complex when the two dogs began to chase her Jack Russell terrier. The woman tried to fight off the two dogs and in the process, sustained injuries to her nose and hands. The owner of the two dogs has handed them over to Cobb County animal control officers, and they are being tested for rabies. The owner will likely be cited for failure to control his animals, having a vicious animal and for failure to have current rabies vaccination.

Published on: April 29, 2009

Four Year Old Boy Severely Injured in Rockland County Dog Bite Attack

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

A 4-year-old Rockland County boy, who was severely mauled in a dog bite attack, is looking at skin graft surgery to fix the injuries, as well as surgery to fox his ear. Nathaniel Stafford was attacked by a Labrador-pit bull mix that his family had been looking after for its owner. His mother found the boy with his head gripped in the dog’s mouth. The pit bull mix was shaking him violently. The boy’s mother pulled him away, and suffered a bite on her arm in the process.

By the time the terrifying ordeal had ended, much of Nathaniel’s scalp had been ripped apart and his ear had been torn off. His stepfather picked up the ear, and put it in a bag to reattach in the hospital. The doctors have not been able to confirm whether they will be reattaching his ear, or if he will need to have a prosthetic ear attached.

Nathaniel is bound to be traumatized after the dog bite attack. Beside the serious head injuries and the mutilated ear, the boy also suffered throat lacerations. He is an animal lover, although how he will react to any dog from here on, is debatable. The dog’s owner meanwhile has agreed to have the dog which is currently being held in quarantine at an animal shelter, put down.