Brooklyn Dog Bite Lawyers

Posted January 22, 2020

Children in Brooklyn Are at Highest Risk for Dog Bites

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that over 4 million dog bites occur each year. The CDC also estimates that one in every five people who are the victim of a dog bite requires medical attention. Dog bites in Brooklyn can cause severe injuries, including lacerations, broken bones, and disfigurement. The germs from dog bites can cause infections and diseases that may result in death.

Well over 30% of US households have at least one dog. According to many sources, there are approximately 600,000 dogs in New York City, with tens of thousands living in each borough. With so many animals and people in crowded city spaces, it should not be surprising that dog bites frequently occur in places like Brooklyn.

Children, the CDC states, are “at highest risk” for dog bites. During 2019 alone, there have been several news stories involving dogs attacking children in Brooklyn and nearby areas.

There Have Been Many Reports of Children in The Brooklyn Area Attacked by Dogs

April 2019, News 12 Brooklyn reported that 9-year-old Andrea Douglas suffered serious facial injuries after a “large, mixed-breed” dog attacked her. She and her mother were walking to school when the attack occurred. Witnesses said that a good Samaritan stopped and pulled the dog from the child.

In October 2019, a 4-year-old in Riverdale suffered a “major injury” when a dog attacked her near her home. Police confirmed that this child was “severely injured” but stable when she was taken to Jacobi Medical Center for treatment. According to the Daily News, the dog bit the girl’s face, “tore into the child’s neck and ripped out an artery.” The dog did not release the child until Good Samaritan Billy Mahoney hit the dog several times with a baseball bat.

Will the Owners of the Dog’s Be Liable for the Injuries?

If the dog is “dangerous,” the owner will have to pay for medical costs associated with the victim’s injuries.

A “dangerous dog”:

attacks and injures or kills a human, farm animal, or pet without justification, or
behaves in a way that would make a reasonable person believe the dog poses a “serious and unjustified imminent threat of serious physical injury or death.”

To collect money for damages outside of medical costs, the victim must prove that the dog owner acted negligently, without reasonable care.

If the owner of the dog knew or had reason to know that the dog was dangerous and did not act reasonably to warn or protect others, he or she might be liable for negligence. Usually, the court applies a “one bite rule” to this analysis. If the dog owner knew the dog was aggressive or bit someone before, the owner has an obligation to act reasonably to warn others about the dangers of the dog.

Call the Law Office of Irene H. Gabo if a Dog Bites You in Brooklyn

Dogs surround those of us who live and work in Brooklyn. While many are friendly, any dog has the potential to attack someone. If you get injured in a dog attack, our Brooklyn dog bite lawyer can help you obtain the maximum damages the law allows. Call our Brooklyn Dog Bite Lawyer at the Law Office of Irene H. Gabo today at (800) 560-0214 for a free case evaluation.

Brooklyn Dog Bite Lawyers