Missouri Accident Lawyer Blog

Alton police were forced to kill a pit bull that became threatening Sunday afternoon, according to a St. Louis Post Dispatch report. Officers also wounded a second dog, that was later euthanized, and deployed a Taser on a third.

Police were investigating the home of Jason Edwards, 22. He was keeping more than three dogs, which was the limit allowed by a city ordinance. He also violated several other ordinances including failing to obtain licenses for the pit bulls.

The report says that police may pursue charges against Edwards for these numerous violations.

The reason police take these charges so seriously is that pit bulls can be extremely dangerous animals. 800,000 people are treated for dog bites in the United States and about 20 die every year. Nearly two thirds of dog bite victims are children. Pit bulls are considered to be one of the most dangerous dog breeds and are commonly used in illegal dog fighting rings.

Because of these dangers, many places have enacted legislation to limit certain breeds, such as pit bulls, and reduce the number of animal attack injuries. Alton, for instance, only allows an owner to keep three dogs and Illinois state law prohibits convicted felons from owning vicious animals.

Owners of dangerous animals may be held strictly liable if one of their animals causes a serious personal injury. This means the fact one of their animals caused an injury is enough to show liability. The owner doesn't have to be negligent to be held responsible.

If you or someone you know has been injured by a dangerous animal that was not properly restrained by its owner, you should contact a skilled personal injury lawyer to discuss whether you can recover damages to pay for medical expenses caused by the attack.

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Posted In: Choosing a Personal Injury Lawyer , Missouri Animal Attacks , Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer News , Personal Injury News

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Columbia police shot and killed a pit bull after responding to reports that several people had been chased or attacked by the aggressive dogs, according to the Columbia Daily Tribune.

The calls came from Grindstone area of Columbia, Missouri. Several people called saying they had been bitten or chased, though police only assisted one man. Mark Adamson, 27, the manager for the GNC on Grindstone, was bitten and suffered injuries to his right leg. His condition was not reported by the Tribune.

Police then followed witness reports to locate two pit bulls outside the Kohl’s department store on Green Meadows Road. As the officers approached, one of the pit bulls became aggressive and came toward an officer, Harlan Hatton, according to the Tribune. Hatton fired three shots, hitting with all of them, and the pit bull was killed.

The other dog ran away only to later be brought in to animal control.

The owner of the dogs, Dakota Crites, 18, was arrested on suspicion of third-degree assault and obstructing a government operation.

Missouri law holds owners of dangerous dogs responsible for the injuries that can be caused by those animals. The most common type of animal attack in Missouri is a dog bite. Many municipalities have proposed legislation to outlaw certain breeds, such as pit bulls, to reduce the number of dog attacks. Columbia has not enacted these restrictions.

An estimated 800,000 people in the United States are treated for dog bites and an average of 20 die each year. The most common victims are children, who account for more than 60 percent of all dog bite cases.

In Missouri, owners of dangerous animals can be held strictly liable for injuries caused by known dangerous animals. This means an owner does not have to be negligent in order to be held legally responsible for injuries caused by their animal. The mere fact the dog or other animal caused an injury is enough to impose liability in a personal injury lawsuit.

Posted by Ryan Bradley | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Missouri Animal Attacks , Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer News , Personal Injury News

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$7.25 million was awarded to a Jackson County Missouri man who was mauled by pit bulls in 2006.

In May 2006, three pit bull terriers escaped through an open window of a nearby home and attacked Alan Hill as he mowed his lawn.

Hill needed multiple operations and skin grafts as a result of the attack. He is permanently disabled and his attorney argued that his life expectancy was shortened 22.5 years. The medical bills associated totaled more than $523,000.

Though the dogs were owned by Paul Piper and Tammy Young, the suit focused on the property owners who rented the house to the dog owners. The property owners were Brittnee Ann Wisdom, James K. Knowles, and Nancy Wisdom.

Evidence was presented showing the property owners knew of the pit bulls and had asked for them to be removed. Shortly before the day of the attack, Brittnee Wisdom had called animal control officers to remove the dogs. The day of the attack, the homeowners sent Bryan Smith, a friend, to let the animal control officers into the home. Smith opened an unlocked window to gain entry to the home and neglected to close the window, allowing the dogs to escape.

The Jackson County Judge found the property owners were negligent in failing to safely remove the pit bulls from the property.

Missouri law holds owners of dangerous dogs responsible for the injuries that can be caused by those animals. The most common type of animal attack in Missouri is a dog bite. Many municipalities have proposed legislation to outlaw certain breeds, such as pit bulls, to reduce the number of dog attacks.

An estimated 800,000 people in the United States are treated for dog bites and an average of 20 die each year. The most common victims are children, who account for more than 60 percent of all dog bite cases.

In Missouri, owners of dangerous animals can be held strictly liable for injuries caused by known dangerous animals. This means an owner does not have to be negligent in order to be held legally responsible for injuries caused by their animal. The mere fact the dog or other animal caused an injury is enough to impose liability.

If you have any more questions about personal injury law as it relates to dog bites, visit The Bradley Law Firm’s dog bite information page.

We have over 30 years of experience handling cases just like this one. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Posted by Ryan Bradley | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Missouri Animal Attacks , Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer News

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