It is a tale which is not so unfamiliar to us here in Southern California, but it is one which continues to shock and horrify us all. One man is dead and a woman is injured due to a vicious dog attack which took place in the Riverside County community of North Shore in early September 2015.

 

Law enforcement officers who were present in the area heard the cries of a woman on what was otherwise a beautiful morning on Tuesday, September 8 2015. The police officers turned on the sirens and lights of their vehicles and moved towards where they had heard the cries originate. According to the injured victim, it was the lights and sirens that finally scared the dogs away, and sent them scattering throughout the small community.

 

The man who was also a victim in the attack, however, was not so fortunate. He died as a result of his injuries in the front yard of a home.

 

Dog Attack Fatalities Rare, but Attacks Continuing to Climb

 

Fortunately the two dogs which were involved were captured with one needing to be tranquillized at the scene. The animal services department has promised to find the owners and hold them accountable, at which point they will likely recommend that both dogs be put down.

 

While we often hear of dog attacks here in Southern California, many of them resulting in non-fatal injuries. In this particular community, the spokesperson for the animal services department, John Welsh, claimed to have only known of three fatal dog attacks throughout his 9 years of policing.

 

At the Cifarelli Law Firm we have seen very few fatal cases involving dog attacks. However, what we do often handle are dog attacks and dog bites which result in substantial physical and emotional trauma.

 

(According to the CDC, over 4 million dog bites occur in the United States each and every year. Of those bites, almost one 1 of every 5 are serious enough to command medical attention.)

 

When to Seek Legal Counsel

 

The personal injury attorneys at the Cifarelli Law Firm, LLP encourage anyone who has suffered through a dog attack to seek legal counsel. Whether your injuries are minimal or substantial, we offer free consultations so that we can discuss your particular case and determine whether you have a claim, and the likely outcomes of your case.

 

To schedule your free initial consultation, we invite you to contact us today at (949) 502-8600.