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Philadelphia Dog Bite Lawyer Edith Pearce represents dog bite victims. She is also a dog lover, used to work with an insurer, and is also the daughter of a veterinarian. At The Pearce Law Firm, P.C., we are very familiar with dogs, dog bites, and insurance companies. We are also very familiar with children’s dog bite injuries, and unfortunately, many dog attacks involve kids. If you’re looking for a pit bull lawyer near you in Pennsylvania contact us today.
What is a pit bull?
There are all sorts of dogs called “pit bulls”, and there is a lot of confusion around pit bull type dogs. For example, take the the American Pit Bull Terrier: this dog isn’t from America, and many experts argue it isn’t a terrier. Things only get more confusing from there. When people say “pit bull”, they could be referring to a very wide variety of dogs which may include American pit bull terriers, Staffordshire terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, bullmastiffs, American bulldogs or any mix of these dogs.
Why do people have pit bulls?
People have pit bulls for many of the same reasons other people may have a Golden Retriever or a Lab or a Poodle: well behaved pit bulls are very affectionate dogs who will sleep in their owner’s laps. They are cute, loyal dogs, and they shed a lot less than long haired breeds such as the German Shepherd. They’re funny, have great personalities and can be amazing companions. Of course, not everyone has these dogs for these reasons: some people train them to fight or act aggressively.
Why Do Pit Bulls Attack?
It goes without saying that pit bulls are a controversial breed. While it is easy to point the finger at “bad parenting”, the fact is, we’ll never know why some pit bulls attack and why others are harmless, other than the fact that there are so many variations to a pit bull. Pit bulls aren’t necessarily any more likely to bite someone than any other breed, but the fact is when they do bite they often cause severe damage.
Common Pit Bull Attack Injuries
Pit bulls often bite vital areas of their target such as the head or neck, and in the event they do bite a limb, they usually sink their teeth deep into the individual’s muscle tissues and bones. They have a firm grip and their “hold and shake” type of bite often results in permanent and disfiguring injuries, and occasionally, death. In some cases, pit bulls attack children or infants with little to no provocation.
A 2021 study looked at “Surgical Treatment of Pediatric Dog-bite Wounds” and how dog breed was a significant predictor of bite severity and diameter. This study found that pit bull bites were “significantly larger, deeper, and/or more complex than the average dog bites” that were included in the study.
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia released a study in 2009. That study showed that 51% of pediatric dog injuries treated at that hospital were from pit bulls. And a 2016 study by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, a pediatric level I trauma center in Georgia, found that “attacks by pit bulls resulted in a higher injury severity score, lower Glasgow coma score, higher risk of death, and higher hospital charges than attacks by any other breed.”
Contact a Philadelphia Pit Bull Attack Lawyer
Contact us before speaking to the dog owner’s insurance company. If given the chance, the insurer may attempt to gain information from you to use against you. Insurers try to get out of injury claims by claiming people trespassed or provoked the dog. Some reports claim that 99% of people who were bitten by a dog are NOT compensated for their injuries. Don’t let this happen to you. Serious pit bull attack injuries sustained may result in scarring, PTSD, crushed bones, punctures, disfigurement and other traumatic injuries.
Pennsylvania is a strict liability dog bite state. That means that, aside from a few exceptions, dog owners are responsible for their pets even if they had no way of knowing their dog could bite someone, and even if the canine has never shown any aggression ever before.
We also take cases in New Jersey, so if you are looking for a nearby New Jersey Dog Bite Attorney, schedule a free case evaluation with us today and we will go over all of your options with you.
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