Fullerton Toddler Mauled by Family’s Pet Pit Bull
Authorities have not said what prompted the vicious attack.
A two-year-old Fullerton boy was taken to a local hospital Monday after being viciously attacked by the family's pit bull terrier.
According to Fullerton police, the dog attack occurred late Monday evening at the family's home. The victim, whose name has not been released, was taken to the University of Irvine Medical Center to receive treatment for a four-inch gash on his forehead caused by a dog bite. The dog remains quarantined at the Orange County Animal Shelter.
Law enforcement officials are still investigating what caused the dog to attack. Once they make a determination, they can offer a recommendation to Animal Control as to whether the dog should be returned to its owners, put up for adoption or destroyed. The family has not released a statement concerning the incident.
While it is unclear what caused the pet pit bull to attack the child, the family is fortunate that the boy's injuries were not more severe. According to the Centers for Disease Control, of the 33 fatal dog attacks occurring in 2010, 22 of the deaths involved pit bulls. Sixty-one percent of the attacks involved victims who were children under the age of 11. In the state of California, there were eight deaths associated with dog bites and of these, seven fatalities were linked to pit bulls.
Police have not said whether the dog in question has a prior history of aggressive behavior nor have they determined whether any neglect or abuse charges will be filed against the owners. Had the dog gotten loose and bitten a neighbor or other non-relative, the owners would likely face criminal charges for negligence as well as a civil lawsuit brought by the victim.
California law permits dog bite victims to seek a claim against a dog's owner if the attack occurred because of negligence or carelessness on the owner's part. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the dog attack, victims may be able to seek damages for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.
If you or a loved one has suffered the pain of a bite, you need to contact an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your case. The law firm of Nadrich & Cohen LLP is available to assist dog bite victims in the Fullerton area and throughout California in proving their injury claims.
Call us today at 1-800-718-4658 to speak with one of our dog bite injury experts. Your initial case evaluation is free and there is never a fee unless we recover a judgment on your behalf. Contact Nadrich & Cohen today to put our experienced dog bite attorneys to work for you.
