Tampa Bay Injury Attorney Blog
Two people were injured, one severely, when they were bitten by a group of five pit bulls running loose near a St. Petersburg home.
Officials said officers were called to the home on July 3 after the dogs were reported loose.
A 52-year-old woman was bitten on the leg while trying to help her neighbor.
The woman was hospitalized with severe injuries that required emergency surgery.
The dogs reportedly charged the officers when they tried to exit their patrol car. The officers used fire extinguishers to force the dogs back.
A Pinellas Animal Control officer who responded to the scene also had to fend off one of the dogs’ attacks.
Eventually, at a point where all five dogs had jumped back into the home, officers were able to trap them inside by closing the windows.
The dogs’ owner was not home at the time, but later helped the Animal Control officer load the dogs into a truck to remove them from the home. The owner, who just moved into the house a few days ago, according to neighbors, has not been charged, since police said there was no intent.
The dogs will be kept under quarantine for further investigation.
Dog bite attacks are a bigger problem than most people realize until an attack affects them personally. A dog attack can leave both physical and emotional scars. The following statistics highlight the problem of vicious dog bites:
- 20 percent of dog bite victims require medical attention.
- According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, more than 800,000 Americans receive medical treatment for dog bites every year.
- Unneutered male dogs are more likely to show aggression and are involved in 70 percent to 76 percent of reported dog bite incidents each year.
- Pit bulls contributed to 64 percent of all fatal dog attacks last year.
- 57 percent of fatal dog attacks involve more than one dog. A fifth of the attacks involve packs of four or more dogs.
If you or a loved one was bitten or attacked by a dog in the state of Florida, you will need to show that the dog’s owner did something wrong, like knew the dog or dogs were dangerous or that the dogs were off leash or unsecured. Our St. Petersburg Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help you prove your dog bite injury claim. Call us today at 727-823-0000 or contact us online for a free consultation.