Recently in Dog Bites/Animal Attacks Category

October 16, 2009

Woman Files Laguna Hills Dog Attack Lawsuit Against the City and Orange County Animal Care Services

A 62-year-old woman who was mauled by three bull mastiffs while walking in a neighborhood last year has filed an Orange County, California dog mauling lawsuit against Orange County Animal Care Services and the city of Laguna Hill. Dr. Elaine Christian, an ophthalmologist, claims the county and the city had received other complaints about the three dogs prior to the December 18 California dog attack but they failed to act to protect her.

Per her Laguna Hills dog bite lawsuit, three dogs attacked Christian while she was walking in her mother's neighborhood. One neighbor tried to get the dogs off her and even threw himself over her neck and head to save her life. Another neighbor started hitting the dogs' heads with a shovel to get them to stop attacking Christian.

The dogs eventually stopped their attack and walked back to the home of their owner, Leslie Rodriguez. Police used pepper spray and a Taser to apprehend the dogs. They were later euthanized.

As a result of the Orange County, California dog mauling, Christian says she sustained serious emotional and physical injuries and, for a while, was unable to work.

Dog attacks can result in serious injuries for victims, who may be entitled to Orange County, California personal injury recovery.

Earlier this month, a 70-year-old woman suffered a heart attack after two dogs attacked her in her neighborhood. Mary Garcia sustained injuries on her leg, face, and arm when a boxer mix and a bull mastiff-pit bull bit her.

Garcia was reportedly locking her car when the dogs ran toward her and attacked. They had escaped through a fence. Neighbors tried to fight of the dogs to rescue Garcia, who they say was smaller than the dogs when the animals stood on their hind legs. Garcia's great-grandson, 2, reportedly saw the attack and said the animals "ate grandma."

Woman mauled by 3 bull mastiffs sues county, city, OC Register, October 16, 2009

Adams woman, 70, attacked by 2 dogs, Denver Post, October 4, 2009


Related Web Resources:
California Dangerous Dog Provisions, Animal Legal and Historical Center

Orange County Animal Care Services

City of Laguna Hills

Posted by Howard | Nassiri, PC | | Email This Post

Posted In: Dog Bites/Animal Attacks

Bookmark and Share
April 22, 2009

2-Year-Old Orange, County California Boy Sustains Facial Injuries During Newport Beach Dog Attack

In Newport Beach, a 2-year-old boy sustained serious facial injuries on Monday when a German Shepherd that was unsupervised at Newport Pier bit him. Young Connor Errington is recovering from his injuries from the Orange County, California dog bite incident.

The toddler was standing about two feet from the dog that was tied to a tree. As Connor attempted to say goodbye to the dog, the animal bit him on the face. The boy had to get six stitches and his nose may be broken.

The German Shepherd's owner has provided documentation showing that it has the necessary vaccination. It will be placed under quarantine in case of rabies.

Dog Bite Injuries
With this week's hot weather appearing to usher in an early summer, it is important to remember that the heat can turn kids and dogs together into a bad combination. This is why if you plan on taking your child to a park, a beach, or another public area, you must take extra precautions to prevent him or her from getting attacked, bitten or mauled by a dog.

Children are especially prone to serious injuries to the head and neck areas during dog attacks. Not only can these injuries be extremely painful, but they can lead to serious wounds and scars requiring extensive plastic surgery--procedures which may not take place until after the child is fully grown. 

According to a study published in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery's March 2009 issue about 84 children (up to age 19) who were treated for dog bite wounds:

• Age 6 was the average age for kids injured in dog attacks.
• 1/3rd of the injuries happened on the cheek area of the face.
• 21% of the injuries were sustained on the lips.
• 8% of injuries affected the ears and nose.
• 64% of the kids who were injured sustained more than one facial wound.
• 40% of all of the injuries required a child to undergo surgery while under general anesthesia.
• Pit bulls are the breed most commonly identified in dog attacks involving child victims. 

You may be able to file a Newport Beach dog bite lawsuit on behalf of your son or daughter. 




Related Web Resources:






Continue reading "2-Year-Old Orange, County California Boy Sustains Facial Injuries During Newport Beach Dog Attack" »

Posted by Howard | Nassiri, PC | | Email This Post

Posted In: Dog Bites/Animal Attacks , Injuries to Minors

Bookmark and Share
March 25, 2009

$50 Million Personal Injury Lawsuit Filed for Woman Severely Mauled by Chimp

The family of a woman who was severely mauled by her friend's 14-year-old pet chimpanzee has filed a $50 million personal injury lawsuit on her behalf. Charla Nash remains in critical condition following the February 16 attack that left her without eyelids, lips, hands, and a nose. 

The pet's owner, Sandra Herold, had asked Nash to help her bring Travis the chimp back into the house. Herold says she thinks Travis attacked the 55-year-old woman because she had changed her hairstyle.

The personal injury lawsuit accuses Herold of negligence, knowing Travis was aggravated when she invited Nash over, and of lacking the ability and strength needed to control the chimp, which was known for having occasionally "violent propensities." Attorneys for Nash say she will need extensive medical care following the attack that crushed numerous bones in her face and may have left her blind and with a traumatic brain injury. 

A judge has approved a temporary retraining order barring Herold from selling or transferring her assets or those belonging to her late husband's estate. There are also reports that other parties may be sued for the chimp attack, such as the state of Connecticut, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the veterinarian who prescribed the mood-altering drug Xanax to the chimpanzee.

A biologist from the Department of Environmental Protection had reportedly cautioned the agency last October that the chimp could pose a threat. Travis has injured others in the past. In 1996, he bit a woman and in 1998, he bit a man. 

Pet Chimpanzees
According to SavetheChimp.org, chimpanzees do not make good pets. They can become dangerous and destructive as they grow older. They also become much stronger (up to seven times more) than their human owners, which makes them harder to control. Chimps have been known to cause serious injuries. 

If you or someone you love was seriously injured by someone else's bet, you may have grounds for filing an Orange County, personal injury claim or lawsuit against the owner, the pet's minder, or another negligent party. 



Related Web Resources:
Chimps as Pets, the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada 

Owner describes chimp's terrifying rampage, Today.com, February 18, 2009


Posted by Howard | Nassiri, PC | | Email This Post

Posted In: Catastrophic Injuries , Dog Bites/Animal Attacks , Personal Injury , Traumatic Brain Injuries

Bookmark and Share
« Distracted Driving | Main Index | Archives | Injuries to Minors »