Portsmouth Girl Seriously Injured by Bulldog

A young Portsmouth girl is recovering from a scary run in with a neighborhood dog. Witnesses say when they found the girl, just 5-years-old, she was being attacked by an American Bulldog. The dog, which belonged to neighbors, was restrained but the damage had already been done: the girl was rushed to CHKD. She sustained injuries on her face, arm and stomach. Her family told reporters that she may even need to undergo surgery for the bites.

Though neighbors say they had never seen the dog loose in the area before, an escaped pooch is just as dangerous as one who is used to roaming the streets. Animal control was able to take the dog to be quarantined while the Humane Society investigates the incident. Charges may be filed against the dog's owners if they were found to be negligent or unsafe in their management of the dog. If they knew of their dog's propensity for biting, they could face even stiffer penalties.

Warn your children about the dangers of approaching dogs on the street, especially if they are not on a leash. Dogs may seem friendly but can turn vicious in the blink of an eye. Many children not experienced with animals cannot read the signs that an animal is becoming perturbed. They don't know when to back off or when to expect a bite. Always ask the owner of a dog if your child can pet their pup - they should be able to guide the kids in safely approaching the animal.

Virginia Dog Bite Lawyers

A dog bite is a devastating experience, especially when the victim is a small child. Sadly, many of the people that we represent are innocent children. If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attacked that was caused by someone else's negligence, we may be able to help you. Contact us today at 877-544-5323 to setup a free consultation to discuss your situation.