Dog Bites In San Diego Lead The Country

Pets are family to millions of people in the U.S. Most people are responsible dog owners and are careful to not only take care of their furry family members, but ensure that nobody else is hurt by their pets. Unfortunately, we often see in the news the result of what happens when irresponsible dog owners let their dogs get close to other people.

Dog bites are a major problem in California, which led the nation in dog bite fatalities last year. Seventy-five percent of the dog attacks that occurred in California in 2012 were in San Diego County, according to Dogsbite.org. Postal workers are among the people most vulnerable to dog attacks in the city. Fox 5 reports that San Diego is on the list of top ten cities with the highest number of postal worker dog attacks.

A scary situation

In San Diego, almost 6,000 postal workers have been attacked by dogs. Out of these, the pit bull and the Rottweiler are stated to be the deadliest breeds.

Recently a mailman delivering mail in Golden Hill was mauled by a pit bull that pushed through a gate and attacked. The dog was able to deliver severe bite injuries to the postal worker’s neck and leg, and also knocked out several of his teeth, before being subdued. The mailman says the strap from his mailbag that he had across his chest and neck saved his life.

Responsibilities of dog owners

USA Today has these tips for dog owners and the general public to help avoid bites:

• Supervise children constantly around all dogs.
• Stay away from dogs that show signs of aggression.
• Get an owner’s permission and let a dog see and sniff before petting.
• Sign dogs up for obedience training.
• Don’t run away from a dog, which will encourage chasing.

In addition, the American Kennel Club recommends that dog owners properly socialize their pets with other dogs and people, to encourage friendliness.

Getting legal help

Dog attacks are a serious issue that cause thousands of injuries and a few deaths each year. State law says that anyone who is bitten by a dog in a public place or lawfully in a private place is entitled to receive damages from the dog’s owner, according to CA.gov. Holding dog owners responsible for the actions of their pets can prevent more people from getting hurt. If you or someone in your family has been bitten by someone else’s dog, it’s important to get in touch with a personal injury lawyer.