Oregon Injury Lawyer Blog

Yamhill County has been considering the question: could your dog become responsible for an Oregon dog attack? The answer, unfortunately, is ‘yes.’

As the Yamhill News-Register notes, “All dogs – from the most muscular guard type to the fluffiest family pet – may bite if frightened, challenged or overexcited.” The paper’s report is a reminder that Portland, Salem or Eugene dog attacks can happen anywhere, at any time. As the article notes, a valued family pet can, believing it is protecting its turf or its owners, attack a family friend or anyone else who enters its familiar areas unexpectedly. The source for the article is a newly-published brochure from Yamhill Dog Control, detailing warning signs and useful tips for keeping one’s pet(s) under control.

The article notes that Yamhill County alone has recorded 61 Oregon dog bites so far this year – a pace that puts the county ahead of last year’s annual total of 98 and even further ahead of the county’s average annual number of Oregon Dog bites over the last seven years: 82.

As the article notes, Oregon law requires that any dog whose bite breaks a human’s skin must be quarantined for ten days. This legal requirement is a reminder of the seriousness with which our state’s laws treat Oregon dog bites.

From the perspective of an Oregon dog bite attorney it is important for victims to understand that they have legal remedies when encounters with pets turn violent. A Portland, Salem, Eugene or Corvallis dog bite lawyer can help them assess the particular circumstances of their case and how these stack up in light of Oregon dog bite law.

Yamhill Valley News-Register: All sorts of dogs may bite

Slate: Would your dog eat your dead body?

A recent horrific dog attack in Southern California should serve as a warning for Oregonians, and a reminder of the importance of keeping pets under control.

According to the Associated Press, police “have arrested the owners of two pit bulls that mauled a 75-year-old woman in a San Diego backyard, forcing the amputation of her leg below the knee.” The agency reports that the animals were later destroyed while the owners, a father and daughter, “could face felony charges of owning dogs that caused serious bodily injury.”

We have all heard stories about pit bulls over the years – the breed has an especially savage reputation – but even by the standards of dog attacks that have taken place here in Oregon and elsewhere around the country the savagery of this one stands out. The case is particularly tragic because, as the AP reports, this is not the first time these two particular dogs got loose and attacked nearby residents. The animals attacked a neighbor last Christmas.

It is important for victims in cases like these to understand that their pursuit of justice should not, and does not, end in the criminal courts. Victims, such as the one in this case, and loved ones should seek the advice of a Portland dog attack lawyer as soon as possible after an incident like this one to learn more about options available through our legal system for people who feel that true justice may sometimes require more than the issuing of a criminal citation.

AP via MyCentralOregon.com: 2 arrested for dog attack on California woman, 75

Resources:
What to do after a dog bite

This is not necessarily an honor we will want to advertise here in Portland, but our city made the US Postal Service’s list of top ten cities for dog bites, according to a recent article in USA Today.

Houston was number one on the list with 62 incidents of dogs biting postal employees. Portland, with 35 incidents, came in at #10. More worrying, perhaps, is a related fact. Despite all of the popular culture focus on dogs and mailmen, postal employees are not the number one category of dog bite victims in Oregon or elsewhere: children are, followed by the elderly.

Dog bite injuries to children are especially worrisome. Mail carriers have professional training in dealing with hostile animals as part of their work. The elderly, at least, know how dangerous unsupervised animals can be. Children, however, cannot be counted upon to understand the possible dangers posed by dogs. Make no mistake, those dangers are real. According to USA Today “last year, 33 people died from dog bites” nationwide.

The link at the bottom of this page offers a number of useful tips for avoiding dog bites. When these strategies fail, however, victims – especially the parents of young victims – should consult a Portland dog bite lawyer regarding the particular circumstances of the attack.

Every case is different, and it often requires the specialized expertise of an Oregon dog attack attorney for victims to understand the legal options that may be open to them in their search for justice. Negligent pet owners need to know that their actions (or lack thereof) have consequences. If you or a loved one are an Oregon dog bite victim speaking with an experienced dog attack lawyer is an essential first step toward closure in the wake of an attack.

USA Today: Dog bite prevention tips: Spaying helps

A Central Point boy is hospitalized with dire injuries following an Oregon dog attack late last month, according to an area newspaper and television station. The Columbian reports that the nine year old “was attacked by three large pit bulls at his father’s home in Central Point.” He is reported to be in “fair” condition at the Rogue Valley Medical Center.

The exact circumstances of the attack are unclear from the available media accounts. Area TV station KPTV reports, however, that the animals were captured in the wake of the Oregon dog attack and “will be held in quarantine by animal control officers… to check for rabies and other problems that might have led to the attack.”

Because the incident involves a serious Oregon child injury the authorities are expected to take special care with their investigation. According to KPTV the “pit bulls appeared to have torn off a large chunk of the nine year old boy’s scalp.”

Serious Oregon dog attacks, such as this one, are of special concern when children are involved. Dog owners have a responsibility to maintain control of their pets – an especially grave responsibility in the case of owners of species generally understood to be violent and potentially dangerous, such as pit bulls.

If you or a member of your family have been the victim of an attack like this one, prompt consultation with a Portland dog attack attorney is one of the best actions you can take to ensure your and your family’s rights are protected. As we see from this incident, dog attacks can cause serious injuries including permanent disfigurement and even death. To obtain justice and make your family whole again expert legal assistance is essential.

The Columbian: Pit Bulls maul, seriously injure S. Oregon boy, 9

Fox 12 Oregon: Oregon boy recovering after dog mauling

A Central Point boy is hospitalized with dire injuries following an Oregon dog attack late last month, according to an area newspaper and television station. The Columbian reports that the nine year old “was attacked by three large pit bulls at his father’s home in Central Point.” He is reported to be in “fair” condition at the Rogue Valley Medical Center.

The exact circumstances of the attack are unclear from the available media accounts. Area TV station KPTV reports, however, that the animals were captured in the wake of the Oregon dog attack and “will be held in quarantine by animal control officers… to check for rabies and other problems that might have led to the attack.”

Because the incident involves a serious Oregon child injury the authorities are expected to take special care with their investigation. According to KPTV the “pit bulls appeared to have torn off a large chunk of the nine year old boy’s scalp.”

Serious Oregon dog attacks, such as this one, are of special concern when children are involved. Dog owners have a responsibility to maintain control of their pets – an especially grave responsibility in the case of owners of species generally understood to be violent and potentially dangerous, such as pit bulls.

If you or a member of your family have been the victim of an attack like this one, prompt consultation with a Portland dog attack attorney is one of the best actions you can take to ensure your and your family’s rights are protected. As we see from this incident, dog attacks can cause serious injuries including permanent disfigurement and even death. To obtain justice and make your family whole again expert legal assistance is essential.

The Columbian: Pit Bulls maul, seriously injure S. Oregon boy, 9

Fox 12 Oregon: Oregon boy recovering after dog mauling

A newly released government study examining hospitalizations resulting from dog bites lays out some attention-grabbing data: between 1993 and 2008 the number of people hospitalized nationwide as a result of dog bites nearly doubled. Reporting the data the New York Times noted that this “increase vastly exceeded population growth, and pet ownership increased only slightly during the same period.” The study was conducted by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, a unit of the Department of Health and Human Services.

As an AHRQ news release notes, those under the age of 5 or over 65 are in the greatest danger for dog bites. The most common form of hospital treatment required is for “skin and underlying tissue infection”, though in a small number of cases much more serious conditions – such as multiple fractures or blood poisoning – can develop following a serious dog attack.

The study notes that around 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year and that only a fraction of these incidents require hospitalization. Still, as the study’s author, Dr. Anne Elixhauser, told the Times, referencing the huge increase in injuries serious enough to require hospitalization: “It’s really kind of frightening, and, unfortunately, we’re at a loss to explain it.”

Here in Oregon we can take some small solace from the fact that bite figures are somewhat lower for the Western US as a whole than for other regions of the country. Nevertheless, the report serves as a reminder of both the seriousness of Oregon dog bites in general and of the importance of addressing them promptly when they occur.

A particularly troubling finding is the study’s conclusion that “treating patients admitted for dog bites cost hospitals an average of $18,200 per patient.” Figures like that remind us of how important it is to establish accountability from a dog’s owner. To ensure that accountability, victims of Oregon dog attacks are well-advised to consult a Portland dog bite lawyer as soon as possible after the incident.

New York Times: Risks: Hospital admissions for dog bites are on the rise

AHRQ News Release on Dog Bite Study (contains a link to the full report)

A police report reprinted on the crime blotter page of the Corvallis Gazette-Times tells a story that will be all-too-familiar to victims of Oregon dog attacks: Someone gets bitten while walking through a park, and the dog’s owner tries to brush off the incident.

The good news in this case is that the victim, 52-year-old Doug Whippo, was not seriously injured. According to the police report, as reprinted in the paper, he was attacked in Willamette Park last weekend. The dog bit Whippo on his left tricep, but the police say the bite “did not break his skin or cause any damage to his clothes.”

The bad news comes from the reaction by the dog’s owner, who told police: “the dog had just been playing and was only a puppy.” The police report then dryly notes that this ‘puppy’ weighs 93 pounds. The owner added that “she had instantly grabbed the dog by the collar and apologized.” Obviously grabbing your dog by the collar after it attacks someone is a good thing for owners to do. So is apologizing. On the whole, however, it would be even better if owners paid closer attention to their animals to ensure that they did not wind up in this position in the first place.

Ultimately, Mr., Whippo was lucky. Many others are not. If you have been the victim of a Corvallis, Medford, Salem or Portland dog attack then you owe it to yourself to speak with an Oregon dog attack attorney as quickly as possible. Pet owners have an obligation to keep their animals under control to prevent them from becoming a public menace. The owner of the dog that attacked Whippo was cited for an unprovoked attack, but accountability should not end there.

In your struggle to make that accountability a reality a Portland dog attack attorney can be your most important ally.

Corvallis Gazette-Times: Crime Watch

TV station KGW reports that a Gresham man is asking tough questions of the Oregon Humane Society after a dog he adopted attacked and injured his two-year-old daughter. Gerald Borton told the station that the Oregon dog bite to his child required 13 stitches in her scalp. The animal, a mixed golden retriever-labrador, attacked her Monday. Borton had brought the dog home only a few days earlier.

KGW says he told their reporter: “I don’t want to see another family have a two-year-old girl with 13 staples in her head.”

The station says the Humane Society plans to “re-evaluate” the dog “before deciding whether to adopt the dog out again,” though it also quotes OHS officials pointing out that any animal can bite given the right circumstances. This particular dog reportedly was evaluated by the Society prior to being put up for adoption and had undergone “some obedience training.”

Portland, Gresham, Eugene and Medford dog bites can cause serious injuries, particularly to children. If you, your child or a loved one have been the victim of an Oregon dog attack prompt consultation with an Oregon dog bite lawyer is a crucial part of defending your rights. The laws concerning Oregon dog bites and Oregon dog attacks can be complex and confusing for the layperson. A Portland dog attack attorney can help walk you through the law and its procedures, advising you on the best course of action to pursue.

KGW.com: Dog back at humane society

A misunderstanding in Aurora led to an Oregon dog attack and, eventually, a police shooting last week according to an article in The Oregonian.

Citing police spokesmen, the paper reports that officers investigating a report of teens breaking into a house were charged by what they described as an aggressive dog, which one officer eventually shot in the leg. The police say the officer was acting in self-defense, and a spokesman later described the Aurora dog attack shooting as justified.

The call itself, however, was the result of a misunderstanding. According to the paper the neighbor who phoned the police in the first place was unaware that the teens were taking care of pets in the home – not breaking in.

This unfortunate incident is a reminder, however, of the importance of keeping pets properly leashed at all times, especially dogs who may be prone to attack or bite. Portland dog attacks can lead to serious injuries or even death. In this case, for example, the fact that a neighbor acting in good faith misunderstood what the teens were allegedly doing is separate from the fact that someone’s large, potentially violent dog was unleashed and in a position to attack.

Victims of a Portland, Aurora, Medford, Eugene or Ashland dog attack should immediately contact an experienced Oregon personal injury lawyer with special experience in dog attacks to discuss the specifics of their situation. The medical bills following an Oregon dog bite or dog attack can be significant. An Oregon dog bite lawyer can help you hold irresponsible pet owners accountable for their actions.

The Oregonian: Misunderstandings lead to police shooting dog of vacationing homeowners

A dog attack on a child in California is a timely reminder for Oregon parents of the danger posed by untended animals and negligent owners. Oregon dog attacks can lead to serious injuries – a fact that today’s situation in California calls readily to mind.

The dog attack took place this morning in suburban Orange County. According to local news reports, a 6 year old girl and her three year old sister were walking near their home when they were set upon by a large boxer. As the children screamed for help their mother emerged from the family home to find the dog on top of the six year old, biting her. The mother and the girl’s 14 year old brother reportedly managed to get the dog off the girl. The family then retreated into their house, from which the mother emerged a few moments later holding a pistol. She shot the dog in the neck. The animal died a few hours later at the county animal care center. Police are still investigating the incident, including searching for the dog’s owner, according to the Orange County Register.

This shocking story is a reminder that the owners of vicious animals need to be held to account. The child in California was bitten in seven places, though she was not seriously injured. Many times, however, dog attack victims are not so lucky.

If you or a loved one have been the victim of an Oregon dog attack, contacting a Portland personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after the incident is of paramount importance. Oregon dog attacks are a specialized area within Oregon personal injury law, and it is important to speak with an attorney well-versed in the particulars of Oregon dog attack law before deciding how to proceed. Obtaining justice after suffering a dog attack often requires using the court system to fight for your rights.

Los Angeles Times: Orange County woman shoots, wounds dog after it attacks her 6-year-old daughter

Orange County Register: Dog shot by mom is dead

An area man has received a national award for saving a neighbor from a vicious Oregon dog attack. According to a recent article in The Oregonian, Chuck Monnier of Molalla rescued 23 year old Christopher Friesen from a serious attack by two loose dogs early on Christmas morning 2008. He has now been honored with a Carnegie Medal, “one of 22 awarded across the country this year by the Carnegie Hero Fund,” the newspaper reports.

Monnier told The Oregonian he heard Friesen’s cries for help and began to call 911 before deciding the situation could not wait. Handing the telephone to his wife he rushed outside, grabbed a shovel and used it to drive the attacking Clackamas dogs away. The Oregon dog attack left Friesen with serious injuries to his head, left calf, the back of his right knee and his left arm.

According to the newspaper, the Molalla police located the dogs the following day. The animals were “placed in quarantine. After an investigation, the dogs were euthanized and their owner was cited for maintaining a dangerous dog.”

Oregon dog attack victims have the right to receive justice for the injuries they have suffered through dog owners’ negligence. A Portland or Clackamas County dog attack attorney should be your first, and most important, contact after immediate medical needs are satisfied.

Monnier and Friesen’s story ends well. Friesen has recovered, the men are now friends and Monnier says he thinks of Friesen “as a grandson who just happened to have been born in another family.” Not all Oregon dog attack stories end this happily, however. A Eugene, Salem or Portland dog attack lawyer offers your best chance of holding irresponsible pet owners to account and receiving the justice you deserve.

The Oregonian: Molalla hero cited for saving man from dog attack

Police in Florida responding to reports of a dog that was loose and attacking people shot and killed a pit bull in the Orlando area this week, according to a report in the Orlando Sentinel.

According to a recent Oregon government report on animal bites, “each year, nearly 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs, and nearly 25% of those bitten require medical attention.” In the Florida case, two officers answered a call after local residents reported dog attacks. The Sentinel quoted police official reports which stated that upon arriving at the address the officers tried to capture the dog, but were forced to shoot it after it attempted to attack them. It was, the paper reports, the second such incident in the Orlando area in a month.

Though dogs are often beloved pets, owners have a responsibility to keep them under control, lest they become a danger to the wider neighborhood. Last year, an Oregon state study using data from June 2002 to July 2003 found records of 636 Multnomah County dog bites – a surprisingly high number, even for Oregon’s most populous county. Boys age 5-9 were the most likely to be bitten, according to the survey. This Portland dog bite data highlights the importance of strong legal representation by an experienced Oregon dog bite attorney should you or a member of your family become the victim of an Oregon dog attack.

Dog bites, according to the State public health division, account for 85-90% of all animal bites requiring emergency room treatment. A Portland dog attack attorney can be a key ally in winning the compensation you deserve in the wake of a biting incident.

Orlando Sentinel: Pit-bull attack: OPD officer shoots, kills attacking dog

Oregon Department of Human Services – Public Health Division: May 2009 Newsletter on Animal Bites

A couple of months ago, our Portland, Oregon personal injury law firm published a blog post discussing how the hot summer months are a time when dogs are more likely to bite kids. This is a concern, considering that statistically the 5-9 year age group has the highest rate of dog bite-related injuries.

This week is National Dog Bite Prevention Week, which is meant to remind people that dog attacks do happen and that it is important that owners and parents take the proper preventive measures so that dog bite incidents don't happen.

Dog bite injuries can lead to serious lacerations, physical disfigurement, and even death—in the event of a serious dog mauling. They can also be grounds for an Oregon dog bite lawsuit if someone's pet injures another adult or child.

Each year, about 885,000 dog bite victims will seek medical attention for their injuries. Some of these injuries will require extensive and expensive surgeries. According to American Societies of Plastic Surgeons President John Canady, MD, plastic surgeons performed 16,000 reconstructive surgeries to repair dog bite injuries in 2008. Also, the emotional trauma from a brutal dog attack can last a lifetime.

Steps dog owners can take to prevent Oregon dog attacks:

• Keep your dog safely fenced in if your pet is in a yard without supervision.
• When taking your dog out in public, make sure your pet is on a leash.
• Make sure your dog’s vaccinations (especially for rabies) are current.
• Don’t leave your dog alone with children that your pet may not know.
• Train your dog to behave and obey commands.
• If your dog is prone to biting people, make sure that you avoid situations where that can happen or that you take steps to secure or restrain your dog when he or she is around others.
• If your dog can get aggressive around strangers, post "Beware of Dog" signs around your property.
• If necessary, use a muzzle on your dog.
• If possible, spay or neuter your dog.
• Socialize your dog if you are going to expose your pet to other people.

It's national dog-bite prevention week, Oregon Live, May 18, 2009

Tips to Prevent Dog Bites, American Kennel Club

Related Web Resources:
Famed Hollywood Dog Trainer and Lassie Descendant Unleash National Dog Bite Prevention Week, Plastic Surgery Practice, May 14, 2009

More Dogs Bite Kids in the Summer, Says Study, Oregon Injury Lawyer Blog, March 10, 2009

Continue reading "Preventing Oregon Dog Attacks with Dog Bite Prevention Week" »

A new study published in the new issue of Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery is reporting that children have a greater chance of getting bitten by a dog and sustaining a serious injury to the neck or head areas in the summer time. This finding is based on an analysis of 84 dog bite cases involving child victims.

The reason for why this happens is not clear, but two possibilities are that the hot weather may put dogs in a worse mood, while kids tend to spend more time outside the house playing with pets.

According to the study:
• Family pets caused 27% of dog bite injuries.
• 34% of dog bite wounds occurred on children’s cheeks.
• 21% were lip injuries.
• 8% were ear injuries.
• 8% were nose injuries.
• The average wound size was 7.15 centimeters.
• 64% of children who sustained dog bite wounds had injuries on more than one part of the body.
• The pit bull is the breed most likely to attack or maul a child victim.

Children and Dog Bites
Dog bites can cause serious harm to a child. A dog that mauls a child can cause serious bodily harm and/or facial disfigurement. Sometimes, it may take years until a child is fully-grown before he or she can undergo all the necessary reconstructive surgeries. This can lead to ongoing physical suffering, as well as mental and emotional trauma. Serious scarring from dog bite wounds can also deprive a boy or girl from experiencing a normal childhood.

In the US, about 44,000 dog attacks each year result in facial injuries. 1% of all emergency room visits involve a patient who was injured in a dog attack or a dog mauling. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says about 800,000 dog bite victims a year will require medical treatment. Nearly 50% of people injured in dog attacks are younger than age 12.

Dog bite risk for kids greatest in summer

Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery

Related Web Resources:
Dog Bite Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Most dog bites are avoidable, Post-Gazette.com, January 26, 2009

Continue reading "More Dogs Bite Kids in the Summer, Says Study" »

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says auto accidents and fall accidents are the leading causes of accidental teen and child injuries and deaths in this country.

Facts included in the CDC’s report:

• 9.2 million teenagers and children a year are treated in US emergency rooms for accidental injuries.
• 2.8 million teens and young kids are injured in fall accidents annually.
• Over 50% of the nonfatal injuries involving kids younger than 1 occurred during fall accidents.
• About 8,000 minors are killed each year in traffic accidents as pedestrians, vehicle occupants, and pedalcyclists.
• 12,175 people under age 20 die in the US every year because of accidental injuries.
• Approximately 20 kids die every day because of an injury that could have been prevented.
• Some 20 million kids and young adults sustain injuries each year that limit their activity and require medical care.

Leading causes of injury deaths, according to age group:

• Infants – suffocation
• Ages 1 to 4 – drowning
• Ages 5 to 19 – traffic crashes

In addition to fall accidents, other leading causes of nonfatal injuries to kids include:

• Animal bites
• Insect bites
• Getting hit by or falling against an object

Children in the 1 – 4 age group were most likely to suffer nonfatal injuries in fall accidents or due to accidental poisoning. According to CDC Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention Director Grant Baldwin, many of these injuries can be predicted and are preventable.

Many times, these injuries occur while a child or teen is engaged in everyday activities, such as riding in a car, walking to school, or swimming in the neigborhood pool. Such injuries are often caused by reckless motor vehicle drivers, careless property owners, negligent product manufacturers, careless dog owners, or other responsible parties.

Car Crashes, Falls Top List of Accidental Injuries for Kids, US News, December 10, 2008

Childhood Injury Report, CDC

Related Web Resources:

Children Traffic Safety Fact Sheet, NHTSA (PDF)

World Health Organization

Continue reading "Car Crashes and Fall Accidents are Leading Causes of Accidental Deaths and Injuries to Minors in the US, Says CDC" »

A Gladstone man and his 7-year-old daughter are recovering from their injuries after a 90-pound pit bull mix attacked them outside a friend’s home. Police later shot and killed the animal.

The Oregon dog attack occurred last Wednesday while 7-year-old Jayda Kempas was playing on a tire swing. Without provocation, Titan reportedly jumped up and clung to her left leg, pulling her off the swing and onto the ground.

Jayda’s father, Steven Hehr, heard screams and rushed to her rescue. The 31-year-old Oregon National Guard sergeant managed to get the pit bull to release his jaw from his daughter’s leg, but then the dog attacked him, biting his leg, hands, and chest in an attempt to grab his throat. Hehr also dislocated his shoulder during the incident.

Neighbors and friends came forward to help him, with two men hitting the dog about 40 times with an aluminum baseball bat. Two other people managed to tie straps around the dog’s hind quarters and get a noose around his neck. Clackamas County Sheriff deputies, who were called to the scene, eventually shot Titan.

Jayda sustained severe lacerations and puncture wounds on her legs. She underwent surgery for her injuries last Thursday. In addition to dislocating his shoulder, Hehr sustained bite wounds on different parts of his body.

At the time of the dog attack, Hehr’s friend Alan Clinansmith was in possession of Titan. He was trying to find a home for the animal. The pit bull belongs to Gresham resident Rick Harrison.

Oregon Dog Bite Incidents
If you or your child was attacked by a dog in Oregon, you may be able to fie a personal injury claim or lawsuit. Oregon’s “one bite rule” holds a dog bite owner strictly liable for personal injuries if he or she knew or should have known that the dog can be dangerous. Dog attacks and dog maulings can lead to serious injuries—even death.

Pit bull mix attacks 7-year-old, her dad in Happy Valley, OregonLive.com, November 20, 2008

Father Fights Pit Bull To Save Daughter, Fox 12 Oregon, November 20, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Dog Bite Liability, Insurance Information Institute, August 2008

National Dog Bite Prevention Week, CDC

Continue reading "7-Year-Old Gladstone Girl and Her Father are Injured in Oregon Dog Attack Involving 90-Pound Pit Bull Mix" »