L.A. Animal Control Captures Stray Pit Bull Mix Involved in December Attack
Animal control is trying to find the owner of a stray pit bull mix that attacked a Lancaster girl in December. (Photo credit: KHTS)
Los Angeles Animal Control officers say they have apprehended a stray pit bull mix they believe attacked a three-year-old Lancaster girl in December.
The dog was reportedly caught over the weekend as it left a Lancaster neighborhood. Animal control officers had spotted the dog on several occasions but had been unsuccessful in their attempts to capture it. The white pit bull/labrador mix is being held for observation and Animal Control is asking the owner or anyone with information about the dog to come forward.
According to KHTS News, the attacked occurred on December 21 around 8:30 a.m. on the 44000 block of 18th Street West in Lancaster. The young victim was standing in her front yard when the stray pit bull mix ran onto the property and without warning, bit her in the face. A family member frightened the dog away and the child was taken to the hospital to receive treatment for her injuries.
It is unclear what will happen to the dog at this point. The animal may be released to its owner should one come forward, be placed for adoption or be euthanized. Anyone with any information on the dog or its owner is asked to call Sgt. Chavez at the Lancaster Animal Care Center at (661) 974-8343.
Should the dog's owner be found, he or she could face charges for allowing the animal to roam free. The owner may also be faced with a civil penalty if the victim's family decides to pursue a personal injury lawsuit to recover damages for the girl's medical bills and pain and suffering.
Fortunately, the victim in this case did not suffer life-threatening injuries. Dogsbite.org reported that there were four fatal dog attacks in California in 2011, all of which involved a pit bull or pit bull mix. Pit bulls were also reportedly linked to approximately 71% of all fatal dog attacks nationwide.
If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury as the result of a dog attack caused by an owner's negligence, you need to understand your legal rights. The dog bite attorneys at Nadrich & Cohen, LLP are committed to assisting victims in the Los Angeles area and throughout California in getting the maximum amount of compensation they deserve for their injuries.
Call our Injury Hotline today at 1-800-718-4658 to schedule your no-cost, no-obligation initial case evaluation. There is never a fee unless we recover monetary damages on your behalf.
