Category Archives: Dog Bite Laws & Lawsuits

A collection of blog posts about dog bite lawsuits and dog bite liability — one bite rule and strict liability — and laws pertaining to dangerous dogs.

Maryland Court of Appeals Holds Pit Bull Owners and Landlords Accountable After an Attack

Maryland's highest court declares pit bulls "inherently dangerous" in landmark ruling. On April 8, 2014 the governor signed a bill abrogating this Court of Appeals decision. On August 21, 2012 the high court narrowed this decision by excluding cross-bred pit bulls. Tracey v. Solesky Baltimore, MD - In January, DogsBite.org announced our filing of an amicus brief in a landmark Maryland appeals case, Tracey v. Solesky, in hopes of expanding more liability out to landlords… [Read full blog post]

Georgia Pit Bull Owner is Convicted After 8-Year Old Girl Suffers Amputation

Erin Ingram suffered severe injuries after being brutally mauled by two pit bulls Judge Limits Ruling UPDATE 01/13/15: Several hours after the $72 million dollar jury award was announced publicly, Judge Mathew Robins, pursuant to state law, limited the amount of punitive damages to $250,000 in the case of Erin Ingram. The judge ordered Twyann Vaughn, the owner of the dogs -- who did not appear at the civil trial held on January 12, 2015 -- to pay the plaintiff $36,691,278 in co… [Read full blog post]

After $2.2 Million Award, Dog Bite Victim Sue Gorman Says System is Still Flawed

Safety Issues Persist Gig Harbor, WA - On August 21, 2007, two pit bulls entered a residential home through a side sliding door and attacked a disabled woman while she slept. The victim, 59-year-old Sue Gorman, suffered serious injuries to her face, forearms and hands. Prior to the incident, animal control had made over a dozen visits to the home of the dogs' owners due to complaints by area residents. Gorman alone had called 911 at least ten times leading up to the attack. There… [Read full blog post]

Founder Colleen Lynn Reflects Upon Four Year Anniversary of Her Attack

Attack Date: June 17, 2007 DogsBite.org - It's not easy to write about your own violent dog attack. Who could know this better than I do, the voice of DogsBite.org? Usually, I write in third person, but not today. Four years ago today, an event forever altered my life, including all of the environments, activities and personal and business relationships within it. The event was an unprovoked assault by a leashed pit bull on a public street. At the time, I was just a few blocks away… [Read full blog post]