Infant Hospitalized After Pit Bull Attack in Los Angeles

A 2-month-old boy was hospitalized after a brutal dog attack in his Woodland Hills home. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Times, the pit bull became agitated when someone knocked on the door of a home in the 22600 block of Clarendon Street the afternoon of Oct. 1. The baby, who was in a car seat on the floor, began to cry. The dog escaped from a gated pen area and bit the child. The extent of the child’s injuries is not yet known, but officials say he is expected to survive.

Los Angeles Animal Services responded to the home to investigate the incident. The pit bull has been quarantined in the West Valley Animal Shelter to confirm that it is healthy and does not have any diseases that could be transmitted to the baby. The dog will be returned to its owner after the 10-day quarantine period.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured infant and his family. We are relieved to hear that the child’s injuries aren’t life-threatening. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Young Children and Dog Attacks

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about half of all children 12 and under have been bitten by a dog. The vast majority of dog bites are from a dog that the child is acquainted with – his or her own, a neighbor’s or a friend’s dog. About 80 percent of fatal dog attacks involve children. Over 87 percent of dog bite fatalities involving children occurred when a child was left unsupervised with a dog or when the child wandered off to the location of the dog. Even though a majority of fatal dog attacks involve pit bulls and Rottweilers, small breeds such as Dachshunds and Pomeranians have also attacked young children causing major injuries or fatalities.

Prevention is the Best

When it comes to babies and dogs, prevention is the best way to go. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Never leave your child alone with a dog, even if the dog has been in your family or household all its life. Don’t leave infants or young children unsupervised even if it is for a few moments. A lot can happen within seconds. Teach your children how to behave around dogs, that they should never provoke a dog.

Remember, if your dog injures someone else, you can be held financially responsible for the injuries, damages and losses caused. Injured victims can seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, permanent injuries, scarring, disfigurement and pain and suffering. An experienced Los Angeles dog bite lawyer can help victims better understand their legal rights and options.

Source: http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-baby-mauled-by-dog-20181002-story.html