Recent Posts in Dog Bites Category

This week, criminal charges were filed against the owner of three pit bulls that attacked and fatally mauled a toddler.

The owner, 52 year old Steve Hayashi, has been charged with felony child endangerment and allowing a vicious animal to be at large.  Hayashi was charged after 2 year old Jacob Bisbee (Hayashi's step-grandson) was subjected to lethal dog bites.

Police say that the dog attack took place last week Thursday at 8:45 PM at the family's home.  Jacob had been at home with his grandmother, his uncle and 4 year old brother when he walked into the garage and was attacked by the three pit bulls.

While interviewed in a jailhouse, Hayashi said that the door to the garage is usually locked with a deadbolt that Jacob could not reach.  He said the toddler never went to the garage before, but he somehow managed to get in.

Hayashi told police, "By the time my wife found him, the dogs had already finished their attack. It was too late."  Jacob was rushed to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

If you have been a dog bite victim, discuss your case with a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer by contacting the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus.

Dog bites are more common than most people would think and, unfortunately, the majority of dog bite victims happen to be young children.  If your child suffers a dog bite injury, here are some tips you should follow to protect him or her:

§  Try to stay calm.  You need to focus on your child's well-being and tending to your child, who may be in a great deal of pain.

§  Ask for help.  While you are tending to your child, ask for help from a friend, family member or neighbor who can gather the names, addresses and phone numbers of anyone who may have witnessed the attack.

§  Seek medical help immediately.  Even if you think the dog bite was minor, it is important that your child is examined by a medical professional.

§  Speak with your child.  Ask for him or her to tell you exactly what happened.  In many dog bite cases, children do not provoke dogs, the attacks just happen.  Try to gather information about what the dog looked like and where the dog came from

§  Take pictures.  This measure can be taken when you have time (at the doctor's office or when you return home from the hospital.  Should you choose to take legal action in the future, these pictures will show the extent of your child's injuries.

The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus represents those who have suffered dog bit injuries in Los Angeles.  Contact us to discuss your injuries with a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer.

In Ohio, police report that one of their dogs bit and captured a suspect that was trying to evade arrest.  The man allegedly ran from police after he was caught driving a pickup truck that had been reported stolen.

After suffering the dog bite, the man had to be treated by paramedics and was later taken to a local jail.  At this time, police are refusing to release his name and the charges he is facing.  They also refuse to reveal where the man was injured or how serious his dog bit injuries were.

While police commonly use canines to apprehend suspects, dogs that attack may inflict serious injuries that leave people suffering for many years to come.  Additionally, when people are attacked by dogs, they can be traumatized and emotionally scarred.

If you are a victim of a dog bite in Los Angeles, now is the time to speak with a Los Angeles personal injury attorney from the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus.  Contact our firm today to discuss your dog bite case!

In February we reported that a 5-year-old girl from San Bernardino County was brutally mauled by five dogs, which resulted in multiple critical injuries, including a broken rib cage, a punctured lung, and severe wounds to her head, neck, arms and legs. She had to be placed on a ventilator after the attack.

Her siblings, ages six and seven, were also attacked by the dogs. They suffered from serious dog bite lacerations to their legs that required stitches.

The owners of those dogs, Jose Antonio Lopez Gonzalez and Judith Mendez Lopez, have now been criminally charged with seven counts of owning mischievous animals that caused great bodily injury or death to a person, according to KTLA news. Both were taken into custody where bail was set at $250,000.

Experienced Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

If you or a loved one has been bitten or attacked by a vicious dog, an Antelope Valley personal injury attorney at the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus can help you take legal action against the dog's owners. California has strict dog bite liability laws in place, which means that even if the owner wasn't negligent or the dog never showed signs of aggressive behavior in the past, the owner can still be held liable for any injuries his or her dog inflicts. With the help of an attorney at our firm, you can pursue a dog bite injury lawsuit against the dog owner for maximum compensation to help cover the cost of your medical expenses, rehabilitation, and lost wages. In addition, compensation can also be sought for your pain and suffering, emotional and psychological trauma, and overall decreased enjoyment of life.

For more information about exercising your legal rights to recovery, please feel free to contact the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus today at (888) 203-PAIN!

A four-year-old girl was taken to the hospital with serious injuries after she was bitten in the face by a dog.

The girl was visiting her uncle in Pomona when the attack took place. According to a police new release, the pit bull was sleeping when it suddenly awoke and bit the girl. Police think the girl may have startled the dog.

The pit bull was not licensed and was not current on its rabies vaccinations, say police.

A 5-year-old Fontana girl and two of her siblings are being treated for  dog bite injuries after being attacked by four pit bulls and one pit bull/bull mastiff mix.

The girl, Destiny Colon, is listed in critical condition at Loma Linda University Children’s hospital. Destiny suffered the worst injuries of all three children. When the dogs attacked, they lunged for Destiny, pulled her away from her mother, and began shaking her violently like a rag doll.  According to the Los Angeles Times, Destiny suffered broken ribs, a punctured lung, several serious bites, and possible internal injuries.  She has since been placed in a drug-induced coma and needs a ventilator to breath.

Destiny’s 7-year-old brother was treated for severe bites to legs, where the dogs reportedly ripped out parts of his leg muscle.  According to Fontana police Sgt. Jeff Decker the boy received more than 200 stables in his leg.

A third sibling, an 8-year-old boy, was also treated for bites to his arms and legs.

The attack occurred last week when Destiny, her mother, and her three siblings were walking along the railroad tracks near Arrow Boulevard when the five dogs escaped from a fenced-in yard on Ceres Avenue. The dogs apparently dug under the fence to escape.

So far, no charges have been filed against the family that owns the dogs, but police say they are planning to submit the findings of their investigation to the San Bernardino District Attorney’s Office, who can decide whether or not to press charges. The family is however cooperating with the police’s investigation.

The dogs remain in quarantine for 10 days and will then be euthanized.

If you have been injured or attacked by a dog, you may have legal grounds to file a lawsuit for damages. An experienced Pasadena dog bite attorney can review your case to determine whether the dog’s owner can be held liable for damages under California personal injury laws. If you have a valid claim, you can trust the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus to advocate your rights and work diligently in prosecuting your case for the largest possible settlement. 

To arrange a free consultation, please contact the office today by calling (888) 203-PAIN!