If you are bitten by a pit bull or any dog in Texas, it is crucial for your health and potential legal recourse to take immediate action. Pit bull attacks are statistically more brutal and life-threatening than all other dog breed attacks. Learn what to do if you or a loved one gets attacked by a pit bull for your physical safety and legal protection. Additionally, to better protect yourself, learn how to identify aggressive animal behaviors that may lead to dog bites.
Pit Bulls Are the Most Dangerous Dogs in the U.S.
The vast majority of fatal dog attacks that occur in Texas and around the country involve pit bulls. A 15-year dog bite injury chart for fatal attacks in the U.S. shows that 66.4 percent (346 total deaths) involved pit bulls. The second highest breed for fatal incidents was Rottweilers at 9.8 percent (51 fatalities).
In Texas, pit bulls were responsible for 76 percent of recorded dog bite deaths (26 fatalities) over an eight-year study period. The majority of these deaths (68 percent) were children four years old or younger. Most fatal attacks occurred in rural or semi-rural areas. Harris County had the highest number of fatal dog attacks (5).
Get Immediate Medical Care for a Pit Bull Bite Injury
The most important step to take after a pit bull attack is to seek professional medical care. All dog bite injuries that break the skin come with a risk of infection and infectious diseases, including rabies. A doctor can properly clean and dress your wounds to reduce the risk of infection and administer antibiotics or vaccinations, as required.
Report the Pit Bull Attack
If you are attacked by a pit bull in Texas, reporting it is required by law. Authorities need to keep track of dog bite injury information to help keep the public safe. Reporting creates a history of the pit bull’s vicious propensities so that the pet owner can be held accountable for any additional incidents in the future.
Reporting the attack will create an official record that you can use as evidence during an injury claim. To report a pit bull attack, call your local support center or animal control office. In many Texas cities, you can report a dog bite by calling 311. In an emergency, call 911 from the scene of the attack to request assistance and paramedics.
Document Details
Do your best to document the pit bull attack, including your related injuries and any necessary medical care. Exchange information with the owner of the pit bull, if known. Write down the contact information of any eyewitnesses, as well.
Obtain copies of any incident or police reports and your relevant medical records. Keep all bills associated with your health care and property repairs. If you had to miss work because of the event, gather proof such as wage statements.
File a Claim Against the Pet Owner
In Texas, the owner of a pit bull could be held legally and financially responsible (liable) for an attack if the owner knew or reasonably should have known of the dog’s propensity for viciousness or behaved negligently in some manner that contributed to the attack. Look for a lawyer who knows the regulations in your specific area, such as a Houston dog bite lawyer.
If the pit bull was deemed a dangerous dog by animal control authorities, for example, but the pet owner failed to abide by related regulations, the owner could be held liable for a resultant injury or death. Certain cities in Texas may have breed-specific restrictions regarding pit bulls.
Consult With a Dog Bite Injury Attorney
Contact a dog bite injury lawyer in Texas for legal guidance and counsel as soon as possible after being attacked by a pit bull. A Texas dog bite lawyer at Hill Law Firm will offer you a free case consultation, where you can get personalized legal advice about your specific dog bite injury case. Call (210) 960-3939 today.