Atlanta dog attacks are making the news these days. In this recent story the mom of a boy who was brutally attacked by pit bulls who were unattended in the yard next to the boys house in Gwinnett County. The 7-year-old needed almost 300 stitches and he lost one ear while the other was hanging on by a thread of flesh. When will this nonsense stop and pit bulls be outlawed. It is a shame that a breed has been so ruthlessly wrecked, but the sad reality is that day after day, and especially here in the Atlanta area, we hear about innocent boys and girls being mauled by dogs. Some are seriously injured and some have even died, and invariably almost all of the attacks are by pit bulls. Enough is enough, these dogs need to be outlawed. Pit bulls are now banned in 12 countries, including Canada. It is time they are banned in the United States.
Whether pit bulls are banned or not, brings little solace to a mother whose little boy must have his ear attached or another mother who recently lost her little boy to a pit bull attack. In the case of the boy who had to have his ear attached, the families personal injury attorney who is representing the family for the dog attack case told the AJC that the dog’s owner “is facing a maximum penalty up to 12 months in jail and a $1,000 fine for reckless misconduct, if he is convicted.” The unbelievable truth is that, in this case, the dog owner surrendered only 2 of his dogs and he still has two more dogs — and they are pit bulls! This is insanity. When will we stop allowing people’s rights to own a pet trump the rights of our children to be safe in the own yards and neighborhoods.
Justice in this case should be meted out in the form of a civil lawsuit. The pit bull owner should pay for all damages that his dogs have caused. This should include compensation for past and future medical bills and pain and suffering that the little boy endured during the attack, as well as the emotional pain and suffering that the boy will suffer in the future. Anyone who knows these types of case knows that the damages in this case approach $1M or more.
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.