It is the responsibility of dog owners to ensure that their pets pose no risk to the public, regardless of whether that pet owner resides in Manhattan or in some other locality. However, some pet owners choose to encourage the aggressiveness of their pet’s breed or fail to ensure that the dogs are securely contained within a fenced yard. These acts on the part of negligent owners can lead to injury and even death for unsuspecting victims who may pass by the home or property.
Two teenagers are being held responsible for a dog attack that occurred recently in Long Island where a father and his child were attacked by three pit bulls. According to the news story, the dogs came out of an open gate and attacked the father and daughter. The father put himself between the dogs and his daughter and suffered several animal bites on his legs, arms, and even his torso. The daughter was unhurt in the animal attack.
During the incident, a 16-year old boy came to the aid of the father and received a bite on his knee. The attack finally ended when the two teenagers retrieved the three dogs. These teens are now facing charges of reckless endangerment for their animals’ behavior.
Dog bites can be traumatic for victims, causing psychological harm, disfigurement, scarring and other long-term effects. The owners of dogs are legally responsible for the damage that their animals inflict and the victims have the right to sue the animals’ owner for their negligent behavior.
Source: CBS New York, “Police: 3 Pit Bulls Attack Man Walking With Daughter On Long Island,” Dec. 4, 2012