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.

2021 Dog Bite Fatality: Boy Killed by Dogs Being Fostered at Grandfather's Home in Doña Ana County, New Mexico

24
Three Family Members Charged with Felony Offenses Avery Jackson-Dunphy, 6, was killed by dogs being fostered by his grandparents. Family Members Charged UPDATE 08/01/22: Three family members have been charged in connection to the death of 6-year old Avery Jackson-Dunphy last November. His mother, Danika Jackson, 33, is charged with reckless child abuse resulting in death. His grandfather, Kevin Owens, 61, is charged with two felony counts, reckless child abuse resul… [Read full blog post]

Model Letter: Advocate Writes to Candidates for Virginia Governor Outlining Poor Civil and Criminal Dog Bite Laws

17
Photo: Virginia State Capitol by Jim Bowen, Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) Richmond, VA - Back in late September, dog bite victims' advocate Bonny Lee sent a compelling letter to the candidates running for Virginia Governor, Glenn Youngkin and Terry McAuliffe. Lee is part of a loose coalition of Virginia citizens (the dog safety committee) who have been attacked by loose dogs or have had their own domestic pets or livestock killed by dogs. Lee has been active in legislat… [Read full blog post]

Lawsuit Filed After Los Angeles Animal Services Failed to Disclose a Dog's Bite History and the Dog Viciously Attacked

17
Argelia Alvarado was critically injured by a pit bull whose bite history was not disclosed. UPDATE 06/15/24: A $7.5 million settlement was approved by Los Angeles City Council for a woman who sustained catastrophic injury from a dog adopted by the city shelter in 2020. The dog, "O'Gee the pit bull," had been impounded by the shelter after attacking a jogger, inflicting severe injuries to both of the victim's arms. The city then adopted O'Gee to Argelia Alvarado's son and did n… [Read full blog post]

2021 Dog Bite Fatality: Boy Killed, Mother Severely Injured in Violent Pit Bull Attack at Carteret Home

59
Aziz Ahmed, 3, was killed and his mother injured in a violent dog attack in Carteret. No Criminal Charges UPDATE 03/30/21: As expected, criminal charges will not be filed after the multi-victim attack by two pit bulls that killed 3-year old Aziz Ahmed and seriously injured his mother on March 16. New Jersey lacks a felony dog attack law, whereas California, Michigan and Texas do not. In short, there are no criminal codes available for prosecutors to charge the dog owner with. T… [Read full blog post]