As the previous blog related to dog bite cases illustrates, we have been following the recent catastrophic dog attack in southwest Atlanta. Now, after the senseless loss of an innocent child’s life and the hospitalization of another young child, the Atlanta neighbors have told the AJC that pit bulls routinely wander their streets. According to a recent article, it is not uncommon on the westside of Atlanta to see dangerous dogs roaming the streets. According to the article, “there are so many that Fulton County animal control officers could easily remove 100 dogs from the streets if they had the manpower” according to Oliver Delk, director of Fulton County’s animal services.
Dog bites can cause the following injuries:
- puncture wounds and lacerations;
- nerve damage when the bite punctures the nerves;
- fractured bones;
- permanent scarring;
- disfigurement;
- Post traumatic stress disorder (“PTSD”) and emotional injuries such as post-traumatic fear of animals and social situations in which the victim could be attacked again;
- crush injuries caused by the dog clutching onto the victim with its jaw and not letting go (most common in pit bull attacks);
- infection;
- rabies;
- secondary injuries and accidents when the victim juts into the path of oncoming traffic;
- loss of limb;
- death
As an Atlanta lawyer who has handled many catastrophic dog bite injury cases, I can’t understand why the City of Atlanta is not doing more to eradicate this problem. Anyone who has been attacked by a dog will attest to what a horror it is. Most people focus on the physical injuries in a dog bite case, which many times can be serious. But, most times the more far-reaching injuries are the emotional scars and anxiety and fear that the attack causes the victims. For instance, once a victim of a dog bite recovers from her physical injuries (which in some cases can take over a year), she often is not able to resume her normal life out of fear that she will be attacked again by other dogs. If you are not aware of this fear, you don’t realize how many of your every day activities are affected by this fear. Walks in the park, walking your neighborhood, jogging, walking your dog, going to a dog park, gardening in your own yard, and just about any outdoor activity is affected by a fear of dogs.
Robert J. Fleming has been handling wrongful death cases, dental malpractice, bus accidents, car accident cases and premises injury cases for individuals and families who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of another for more than 20 years. He practices in and around the Atlanta, Georgia area including handling lawsuits in Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Gwinnett, Cobb and other counties and nearby cities including Alpharetta, Austell, Avondale Estates, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Duluth, Decatur, Doraville, Hapeville, Johns Creek, Jonesboro, Lawrenceville, Norcross, Peachtree City, Riverdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stone Mountain, and Smyrna. If you have been seriously injured and would like discuss your case in complete confidence, contact Robert J. Fleming directly on (404) 525-5150 or contact us online.