On May 8 the Corpus Christi mother was walking with her toddler son to a bus stop. Soon she became aware that two dogs were following them. She began walking faster, and that is when the attack began. The dogs rushed around them, biting at the boy’s sock. The mother picked up her son, to which the black Labrador mix and German shepherd turned to her.

The mother later described that she feared her son’s foot would be bitten off. As the dogs bit at her legs she managed to call for police on her cell phone. Officers quickly responded with animal control, and the dogs were taking into quarantine. They were later returned to the owner, who was cited for failing to have proof of rabies vaccinations and tags for the pets.

The mother and her son became one of the 4.7 million Americans who are bitten by dogs each year. The Centers for Disease Control reports that among those, 800,000 require medical treatment. Children and the elderly are the most common victims, and most attacks occur with familiar dogs.

The AVMA suggests that if a person is bitten by a dog he should do the following:

• If the owner is present, ask for proof of rabies vaccination.
• Get the owner’s name and contact information.
• Clean any bite wounds with soap and water immediately.
• Seek medical attention right away.
• Double-check the validity of vaccination records with the dog’s veterinarian.

The association further suggests some proactive measures that can be taken to help prevent children from being bitten:

• Teach children to stay away from a dog’s food and water bowls.
• Similarly, children should be taught to stay away from chews and dog toys.
• Never approach a dog you don’t know.

As people prepare for National Dog Bite Prevention Week, a final statistic should give pause – the financial impact of dog attacks. State Farm Insurance released their annual report this week, indicating that just their company alone paid out $109 million on 3,800 claims throughout the country in 2011. This number is up from $90 the previous year. The implications are clear: the problem of dog bite attacks is only getting worse.

If you have been injured by an attacking dog due to the fault of the owner or caretaker, you may wish to file a claim for damages. Call Dallas dog bite lawyer Dean Malone for a consultation at (214) 670-9989.

- Guest Contributor

It is not uncommon for dog owners to tether their animals and leave them unattended. Perhaps Fido keeps digging up the flower beds in back. Or maybe it just seems to make sense that a dog chained to a tree in the front yard will keep would-be burglars away. But does tethering a dog make it more aggressive?

A new ordinance in Arlington suggests that it does, according to an article in the Arlington Citizen Journal. The writer cites a case of an elderly woman in February who, walking past, stooped to pet a dog that was chained to a tree. The creature attacked her viciously, knocking her down and ripping a chunk of flesh off her arm. Only for the fact that she fell in such a way that left her out of reach of the dog did she fare as well as she did.

It does seem logical that tethering a dog would tend to make it more aggressive. Dogs are highly social creatures, but they are also extremely territorial. One can imagine that a dog pining away by itself in a yard all day watching passersby may feel either threatened or incredibly lonely. Are those he sees intruders or potential friends? A dog may become quite confused, ultimately reverting to aggressiveness as a default.

Indeed, Arlington experienced an increase of 48% in aggressive dog calls two years ago. City officials believe the new ordinance will help stem attacks on citizens. It is also designed to discourage residents from using a tethered dog as a “cheap security system.” It seems to make sense that unwary individuals are more likely to be bitten if a dog is left unattended in a front yard. The curiosity and good nature of a small child might lead it to draw dangerously near a dog that fears its property is being intruded upon.

Moreover, proponents of this bill suggest that tethering a dog and then leaving it alone for hours is cruel. The Humane Society of North Texas is reported to have euthanized two dogs this year that were strangled by their tethers. Another dog became so entangled in its restraint last year that a leg required amputation.

Residents of Arlington face a fine of up to $2000 for violating this new ordinance.

Laws in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area preclude allowing owners to chain a dog to a tree in the front yard. Owners are required to keep dogs confined behind a fence of at least 48 inches, and for larger or aggressive animals, 60 inches. However, Arlington’s new ordinance may have implications for owners in Dallas who chain their dogs in the back yard.

If you have been injured in a dog bite attack due to the negligence or fault of the owner, you may wish to file a claim to gain compensation for your losses. Call Dallas dog bite injury lawyer Dean Malone for a consultation at (214) 670-9989.

- Guest Contributor

Pit bull (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dog bite attacks seem to be a growing problem across America.  But in Houston, Texas, there are quite a few facts and statistics which give a clear indication that there definitely are more dog bites occurring than ever before in the area.  For instance, Texas Children’s Hospital has reported that the number of dog bite victims visiting the emergency room increased 79% in 2011 (267 total) compared to 2010 (149 total).  A vast majority of the incidents which result in serious injury or death in the USA involve pit bull type dogs, causing more and more people to believe such dogs should be banned.

Jacqueline Osorio is a 2-year-old dog bite victim in Houston.  Ten months ago she was sitting at the breakfast table when her aunt’s dog attacked her with no warning.  The dog took a huge bite out of the toddler’s face.  Half of her gums are missing.  She is not able to look straight ahead with her left eye, nor can the eye shed a tear because of tear duct scarring.  Doctors continue to work on the reconstruction of her face.

The Houston area has reported three people killed by dogs in the past five months.  A newborn, a toddler, and 71-year-old were all dog bite victims who didn’t survive brutal attacks.  In all three of these cases, pit bull-type breeds were the perpetrators.

Laws have been enacted across America to strictly regulate ownership of pit bull-type dogs.  At this point, however, Texas doesn’t allow laws that are breed-specific.

The threat of pit bull-type dogs has resulted in a barring of adoption of these type dogs at shelters run by Harris County, the Humane Society, and Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Are you suffering from an injury as a result of a dog bite?  If you or anyone you know needs legal assistance related to a dog bite injury or fatality which occurred in Texas, contact Texas dog bite lawyer Dean Malone at (866) 670-9989.

–Guest Contributor

The other side of the argument contends that pit bulls by their breeding are inherently more dangerous than other dogs. They point out that statistics show pit bulls are involved in a large percentage of dog bite injury attacks. These accidents occur off the premises of the owner 68% of the time. By contrast, other breeds attack on their home turf 70% of the time. This supports the argument that the aggressive nature of pits leads then to venture out into neighborhoods and attack, while other breeds tend to attack when they believe their own territory is threatened.

Proponents of pit bull ownership counter that the notion of pits as a single breed is fallacious. There are, indeed, three separate breeds that are often called pit bulls. Moreover, mixed breed dogs may be perceived to be pits. The tendencies of these dogs cannot be considered under a single umbrella term.

Still, most dogs considered pit bulls have terrier ancestry, a breed that is known for aggression. One may argue that Yorkshire terriers are aggressive as well, and while this is true, they do not have the powerful jaws and muscular build of a pit.

Over 600 cities and towns nationwide have either enacted strict controls over the breeding of pit bulls, or outlawed them altogether. The controversy is bound to continue. What is clear regardless of how one feels about the breed is that dogs of any kind that attack without provocation may be cause for a lawsuit against the owner.

If you have been injured in a dog attack, you may wish to file a claim to recover damages. Call Dallas dog bite injury lawyer Dean Malone for a review of your case at (214) 670-9989.

- Guest Contributor

A German Shepherd (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A Texas dog has been awarded the 30^th Annual National Hero Dog Award by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA).  This special award, which is an ongoing testament to the rewards of showing kindness to animals, was presented to a 5-year-old Shiloh German Shepherd named Bear.  Debbie Zeisler, Bear’s owner from Millsap, Texas, was at an accompanying ceremony along with her very special pet.

Zeisler adopted Bear three years ago from a Texas shelter where he was identified as an unwanted animal.  She rescued him, and since then he has rescued her more times than she can count.

As a result of a horse riding accident 18 years ago, Zeisler has experienced seizures almost daily.  Without any kind of training as a rescue dog, Bear instinctively knew how to help Zeisler from the start.  He leans on her when he recognizes the signs that a seizure is imminent, so that she can sit down and avoid a fall.

Zeisler admits that she doesn’t always heed Bear’s warning and sometimes falls during a seizure.  Bear will either stay with her or go for her medicine, whichever is needed.

Bear made the news last year for an amazing act of heroism.  Zeisler had fallen down some steps, hit her head, and lost consciousness in her front yard as a result of a seizure.  Bear scratched on all the neighbors’ doors, but no one responded.  A Parker County animal control officer saw that the dog was frantic, and he followed Bear to his owner.

By the time Bear returned to Zeisler, she was conscious and being loaded into an ambulance.  Without hesitation, Bear jumped in for the ride to the hospital.

Besides being awarded a plaque for his heroism, Bear won a year of free dog food and the trip to California for him and Zeisler.  Their stay was at an oceanfront hotel in Huntington Beach.

Are you suffering from an injury as a result of a dog bite in Texas?  If you or anyone you know needs legal assistance related to a dog bite injury or fatality which occurred in Texas, contact Texas dog bite lawyer Dean Malone at (866) 670-9989.

–Guest Contributor

There is a famous scene in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar in which two statesmen speak before an angry crowd. Each is able to sway the crowd with their “spin” on the matter at hand. Defense lawyers, similarly, are adept at taking the facts of a dog bite injury case and turning them so that jurors begin to doubt whether liability is clear at all.

The lesson in this is that neither you nor your Dallas dog bite injury lawyer should assume that a jury will agree that liability is obvious in your case. After all, jurors were not at the scene to witness your attack. They can only draw on your testimony, that of witnesses, and lawyer arguments to ascertain the truth.

Perhaps this is why defense lawyers generally will opt for a trial before a jury rather than a judge. The judge has seen countless cases and knows the sophistry of defense counsel. Jurors, by contrast, are more malleable. They can be turned around to see the facts of the case through a prism of distortion.

All this should not discourage you from seeking a claim. Rather, the fact that you face ruthless and manipulative defense lawyers is all the more reason to hire a Dallas dog bite injury lawyer to represent your interests.

If you have been injured by an attacking dog, you may wish to seek a claim against the owner. If you win, you may be able to recover the cost of medical treatment, loss of wages, pain, suffering, and even scarring, if applicable. Call Texas dog bite injury lawyer Dean Malone for a review of your case at (866) 670-9989.

- Guest Contributor

Houston Skyline (Photo credit: seoulpolaris)

Have you ever found yourself waiting eagerly for an important letter or check to arrive in the mail, but day after day it never comes?  If so, contact your local post office; a neighbor’s dog may be to blame.  In one Houston, Texas, neighborhood mail was recently suspended because the mail carriers were being bitten by dogs on a consistent basis.  So is it or is it not against the law to allow your dog to run around freely like that and as a result potentially hinder mail service and cause injuries?

The Houston Department of Health and Human Services provides a simple explanation about the city’s leash laws on their website.  To answer the preceding question, yes, it is against the local laws for dogs and cats to “run at large” in Houston.  Dogs entering onto private or public property without a human having physical control of them are running at large.  If a dog is on a leash, that qualifies as the person having physical control over the animal.

If not on a leash, dogs must be either behind a fence or in some other type of secure enclosure which won’t allow for their escape.

A dog may be impounded if found running at large, and the owner is subject to receive one or more citations.

You may be doing yourself, your neighbors, and the postal carrier in your area a favor if you call the authorities to report any dogs you see running loose.

Are you suffering from an injury as a result of a dog bite?  If you or anyone you know needs legal assistance related to a dog bite injury or fatality which occurred in Texas, contact Texas dog bite lawyer Dean Malone at (866) 670-9989.

–Guest Contributor

In 2011 5,669 postal workers were attacked by dogs across the U.S. In fact, the problem hits rather closer to home than one may think, for Houston has the dubious distinction of the most such attacks two years running. 62 carriers were attacked there last year, with San Diego, California coming in second with 45. Of course, not all of these attacks led to hospitalizations, nor even to bites.

Dogs do seem particularly inclined to attack mail carriers. Understanding that dogs, by nature, are very territorial can help to explain why this is so. Each day the postal worker comes onto the property. She is a stranger – an intruder. And she is dressed in uniform – apparel different from that of welcome guests. Moreover, despite the dog’s growls and barks, the carrier doesn’t run away. From a dog’s perspective, this person is invading his space.

Another motivation for such attacks is fear. A dog may seem brave and ready to scrap with any intruder, but most people who have owned canines know they may resort to aggressive behavior when they are afraid. Many carriers say that the little dogs are often the most fearful, and therefore most inclined to attack.

To deal with this omnipresent problem, postal carriers are trained to cope with dog attacks. Indeed, each year they are given a training to review such methods as distracting dogs with toys and voice commands, or, when necessary, using Mace.

Needless to say, mail carriers aren’t alone in being vulnerable to dog attacks. If you have been injured by a dog due to the fault of the owner or caretaker, you may want to file a claim. Claimants may be able to recover costs of medical care, loss of work time, pain, and suffering. Call Dallas dog bite lawyer Dean Malone for a review of your case at (214) 670-9989.

- Guest Contributor

From 1993 to 2008 hospitalizations from dog bites increased by a full 88%, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Indeed, dog attacks rank as the fifth most common reason children are sent to emergency rooms. The majority of these attacks, oddly enough, occur in either the family home or a residence of a friend.

Over 800,000 people are seen by doctors each year for dog bites, and while only a small fraction of injuries are fatal, they surely make for a horrible end. If injury and mental trauma were the only misfortunes victims suffered it would be bad enough. However, State Farm Insurance reported that monetary losses for victims tops $1 billion – and this was far back in 1998. Another report, released by the American Medical Association, suggests that State Farm paid out as much as twice that amount among the 11,000 claims it had in one year.

The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services indicates that as of 2008 the average cost of treating a dog bite is $18,200. This does not include other costs incurred by the victim, such as loss of wages. The average amount paid out in claims in 2010 was $26,166, which is a 37% increase in just eight years.

One can assume that part of the reason for this increase in cost is due to inflation. Moreover, the increase in the number of dogs may at first seem a factor affecting the rise in dog bite attacks, but in reality there are only 2% more dogs in the U.S. now than 20 years ago.

Ultimately, then, a person who is injured in a dog attack faces medical bills, loss of income, and other related expenses that can be ruinous. A Dallas dog bite injury lawyer can help the victim recover these costs, including pain and suffering.

If you have been injured by an attacking dog due to the fault of another person, you may be able to gain compensation for your losses. Call Dallas dog bite injury lawyer Dean Malone for a consultation at (214) 670-9989.

- Guest Contributor