Contra Costa County Cracking Down On Dog Bite Attacks

The city of Hercules in Contra Costa County is taking steps to crack down on pit bull bite attacks after two recent attacks injured a woman and killed her dog.

On the 20th of August, two pit bulls attacked a woman and her Yorkshire Terrier. The dog was killed while the woman suffered bites and scratches on her arms. The two pit bulls were deemed dangerous, and were euthanized.

That wasn't the last dog attack in Hercules. On the 6th of this month, three pit bulls attacked a dog, injuring it severely. These dogs too were euthanized the next week. The Hercules city council is taking the problem very seriously indeed. The attacks have increased focus on especially aggressive breeds of dogs, including bit pulls. The City Council's Public Safety Subcommittee has convened a meeting for the 23rd of September. Members will discuss dog bite attacks, and measure to prevent these. There may also be new laws formulated regarding the rearing of aggressive breeds, like pit bulls.

The Hercules municipal code requires that a dog be properly restrained at all times. If an unrestrained dog is in a position to cause harm to another person or animal, then its owner can be held in violation of the county's animal ordinance. Police are asking residents who see loose dogs to call animal services. The recent attacks have concerned local residents who are calling for better enforcement of dog restraint rules.

Dog bite attacks may not occur frequently, but these cause serious injuries every year. They also end in severe emotional and mental trauma from the attack which often tends to be vicious. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year dog bites leave more than 4.7 million people injured. Out of this, an estimated 800,000 victims will be injured severely enough to require medical care. Not very surprisingly, children are the most frequent victims of dog bites.

Pet owners may deny it, but some breeds of dogs, like pit bulls or Rottweilers, are more aggressive than other breeds. Dog bite statistics seem to corroborate this fact - most attacks involve pit bulls and other aggressive breeds.

Under California laws, a dog owner can be found strictly liable for dog bite injuries caused by his pet. Injuries in dog bite attacks can be extremely severe, and may include facial and scalp lacerations, lacerations on the body, cuts, abrasions and other injuries. Persons may be left with facial injuries that require cosmetic surgeries.

Sometimes, California dog bite lawyers come across cases in which the attack has been so vicious that the person's ears and scalp have been ripped off. These injuries often require specialized medical care, and cosmetic surgery to restore the person's appearance. Besides the physical injuries, victims may be left with a lifetime of emotional trauma and mental anguish. The dog owner can be held liable for medical expenses, as well as other losses suffered by the victim.