An autopsy has confirmed that a Maryland woman has been mauled to death by her pet pit bull. The victim, a 64-year-old animal lover from Columbia, MD was killed in her yard by the dog, which she had adopted just two weeks before the attack. The woman’s husband found the dog standing over her body after the incident. Upon finding the victim, her husband restrained the dog and called 911. Even with the dog restrained, animal control officers say it was barking and lunging at passersby. The pit bull was subdued and eventually euthanized.
A History of Violence?
Not much is known about where the dog came from. Adopted just a few days before the attack, the pit bull was said to have been moved to Maryland from out of state. These kinds of adoptions can often be plagued with questions about the dog’s history, as some advocates will move a pit bull to a new area to try and distance it from a known history of violence. While we don’t know if this particular pit bull had a violent background, the fact that it was moved across state lines makes it more difficult to track.
The family of the victim say she wouldn’t want to blame the dog for the violence she experienced. This is a common refrain echoed by a number of pit bull advocates and even their victims. No matter your stance on the breed, it’s undeniable that they are frequently linked to serious injuries and maulings. As more and more communities move towards banning the breed altogether, we can only hope that the frequency of such attacks decline.
Legal Options for Dog Bite Victims
While not every dog bite victim or their family has legal recourse in the wake of an attack, it is sometimes possible to bring irresponsible animal shelter workers to justice. If there is indeed evidence that this dog was adopted out without warning the new owner of a history of violent behavior, the animal shelter or rescue could be fined. The family of a 90-year-old Virginia Beach woman mauled to death by a newly adopted pit bull filed a $5 million lawsuit against the shelter from which the dog came. Though the dog had a history of biting, its behavior was not disclosed to the new owner.
Contact a Virginia Dog Bite Lawyer
In the wake of an attack, it can be difficult to know where to turn for help. A Virginia dog bite lawyer can help you understand your rights and get you the justice you deserve. Contacting an attorney as soon as possible is crucially important, though, as evidence will need collected from the moment the incident occurs.
The Law Offices of Richard J. Serpe, PC has helped victims of personal injuries for over 30 years. If you were attacked by a dog because of someone else’s negligence, contact us for a free consultation.
