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Donald W. Bedell
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Fatal dog bite incidents increased dramatically in 2017

On Behalf of | Mar 2, 2018 | Dog Bites

Having an obedient and socialized dog that lovingly greets and interacts with everyone it sees is the ultimate goal for any owner. A well-behaved dog can complete a family unit, and the companionship provided by a loyal, safe dog can have an incalculable impact on a family’s happiness and positivity.  

However, this doesn’t always happen for every dog owner. Indeed, not every dog owner is up to the challenge of having, and taking care of, a dog. This can lead to disobedient and dangerous dogs, and in many cases where a dog attacks and kills an individual, these circumstances are involved.

In 2016, there were 31 deaths related to dog attacks. In 2017, that number jumped up significantly. There were 39 deaths related to dog attacks last year, and 74 percent of them (29 deaths) involved a pit bull in the attack. That rate was 71 percent (22 deaths of 31) in 2016.

It is alarming, but not surprising, that pit bulls continue to be the dominant breed involved in fatal dog attacks. From 2005 to 2017, pit bulls were involved in 284 of the 433 dog bite deaths in the United States (66 percent). All pit bulls are powerful, but many are unfortunately improperly trained. This leads to an inordinate amount of fatal dog bites being triggered by pit bulls.

For the victims of dog bites, or their loved ones, experienced legal representation is critical. Please consider your legal options in the wake of such an unfortunate incident.

Source: DogBites.org, “2017 dog bite fatalities,” Accessed March 2, 2018

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