When NFL player Michael Vick made headlines for his cruel dogfighting hobby in 2007, millions of Americans learned about the realities of the seedy, underground venture. While Vick has paid his debt to society, there are countless other individuals who still partake in dogfighting. It often isn’t until these dogs escape their owners and attack unsuspecting neighbors that the issue makes headlines again. A Ridgeway, Virginia teen recently became the target of one such dog.
Attacked in His Driveway
The boy was getting out of his father’s truck when the neighbor’s pit bull approached. The dog had previously been involved in a fight with the family’s own pet boxer, but the scuffle had been broken up before damage could be done. This time, the pit bull launched itself at the teen, attacking and holding on despite the boy’s father’s attempts to intervene. The man and dog engaged in a kind of tug of war over the teen, with the dog only giving up after multiple hits to its head. The teen was rushed to the hospital for treatment, but his family expects months of recovery time.
A History of Violence
The boy’s father told reporters he’d seen the dog’s owner training his pet to fight. The owner beat the dog with a tire, trying to toughen it up. While there’s no clear evidence linking the owner to a dogfighting ring, the abuse and cruelty bred into the dog is obvious. When pet owners mistreat their dogs and train them to act aggressively, they put their neighbors at risk. Cruel dog owners can be held liable for the damage caused by their pets, so we encourage the victim in this case to consult with an experienced dog bite lawyer immediately.
Dog Bite Lawyer Richard Serpe
Virginia dog bite lawyer Richard Serpe has 34+ years of experience helping victims of personal injuries. We have helped numerous victims to get the compensation they deserve. These clients include children, adults, mail carriers, delivery drivers, joggers, pedestrians, and others. Contact Richard Serpe if you’ve been attacked by someone else’s dog.
- Named “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, Norfolk, VA (2020)
- Rated 10/10 – “Superb” by the online attorney rating service, Avvo.com
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America ® (2006 – Present)
- Received an AV rating from the Martindale-Hubbell law directory, which is the highest given
- Named a “Super Lawyer” – among the top 5 percent of lawyers in Virginia (2006 – Present)
- Listed as a Top 100 Virginia Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers 2014
