Certain Dog Breeds Identified as More Dangerous By Insurers

According to a recent article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Chow Chow, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepard, Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Siberian Husky, and Wolf Hybrid are considered “bad breeds” by many insurance companies and, in turn, are sometimes blacklisted or excluded from insurable claims. However, the article goes on to point out that one should not blame any single dog breed or dog for dog attacks, because in actuality every dog attack can be prevented. In other word, if dog owner were responsible and followed the laws, the dog would not be in a position to attack and innocent victim on the streets.

Dog attacks can happen with any breed and at any time, so long as the dog is allowed to roam or is not properly restrained and has the opportunity to attack. In addition, some dog owners, especially the owners of pit bulls, train the dogs to fight to the death for sport (i.e., dog fighting for betting, which is still fairly popular in some circles). However, the dog is not able to distinguish between sport and real life, and if left to its own devices and left un-restrained to roam the streets, can caused serious injury and even death. These attacks are horrific and senseless and more needs to be done by Atlanta animal control to stop these dogs from being allowed to roam neighborhood streets.

Recently, I represented a very nice woman who was gardening in her backyard one pleasant Saturday morning when not one, not two, but THREE pit bulls ran up on her and viciously attacked her. She was badly attacked and was taken to the Emergency room and was immediately admitted to the hospital after the ER due to the attack. It turns out that the dogs were left in a yard after the family had vacated the house and the dogs escaped through a hole in the fence (which the owner was aware of but simply placed a trash can in front of in a veiled attempt to contain the dogs in the yard). Once again, this is a needless attack, one in which we were able to hold the dog owner fully liable for. Importantly, allowing your dog to roam the streets is a violation of the local leash laws and subjects the dog owner to liability for the attack to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Robert J. Fleming has been handling dog bite 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.