Woman Critically Injured in Fresno Dog Attack

A woman in her 50s remains in critical condition after she suffered severe injuries in a Downtown Fresno dog attack the night of April 6, 2016. According to a report on Your Central Valley, officials say the two pit bulls dug a hole underneath the fence or hopped on a chair and jumped over a fence getting out of their home. The woman’s left arm has been amputated and she is expected to go through more than eight hours of surgery next week. The pit bulls have been removed from their home. Officials found four dogs in the home. Three have been put down and a fourth one is being rehabilitated.

Our thoughts and prayers are with this critically injured dog bite victim. We wish her the very best for a quick recovery.

Dog Bite Statistics

According to DogsBite.org, each day about 1,000 people in the United States require emergency care treatment for dog bite injuries. Between 1982 and 2014, the dog breeds most responsible for disfiguring injuries and deaths are pit bills, rottweilers, presa canaries, cane corsos, mastiffs, boxers and other mixed breeds.

According to statistics from Dogsbite.org, these breeds inflict 86 percent of attacks that cause bodily harm; 81 percent of attacks on children; 89 percent of attacks on adults; 76 percent of attacks that result in fatalities; and 86 percent of injuries that result in maiming. These dog breeds account for a majority of injuries although they embody only about 10 percent of the total dog population.

Liability Issues

California has a strict liability statute when it comes to dog bite injuries, which means that dog owners are responsible for the injuries damages and losses caused by their pets. Many homeowners’ insurance policies offer animal liability coverage. In fact, insurance companies recommend pet owners to buy such coverage.

However, some insurance companies do not provide coverage for certain types of dogs, especially breeds that are more prone to attacking people such as pit bulls. According to State Farm Insurance, California is the leading state for dog bite claims. They paid out nearly $16.1 million to dog bite victims just in 2014.

Injured victims in such cases can claim compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, cost of surgery, rehabilitative therapy, pain and suffering and emotional distress. Injured victims would also be well advised to contact an experienced California dog bite attorney who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.