A vicious attack by two pit bulls in Fresno has left a woman in critical condition. This most recent incident involves a woman who was walking by a residence when she was attacked by two dogs that had escaped from their yard. Police believe they either dug under or jumped over the fence. The woman has not yet been identified and has undergone amputation of her left arm and is lucky to be alive.
In 2015, 35 Americans were killed by dogs, down from 42 in 2014. Each year more than 350,000 patients are treated for dog bites in emergency rooms and approximately 850,00 receive medical treatment.
Despite the number of victims, most do not receive any compensation for their injuries, not because the owner is not liable but due to lack of insurance coverage. Dog bites are generally covered under homeowners or renters insurance policies, however, many companies exclude coverage for injuries caused by animals and often specific breeds of dogs considered to be more dangerous are specifically excluded.
Under Arizona law owners of dogs are strictly liable for dog bites. There is no requirement that the owner be shown to have prior knowledge of the dangerous propensity of the animal, so Arizona dogs don’t get “one free bite.”
Showard Law Firm has represented many clients injured by dangerous animals and will help you determine if the owner has coverage that applies to your injuries if you have suffered a dog bite. Call us today for your free consultation.
