A loose pit bull in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago attacked a 63-year-old man in the area of 59th Street and Eggleston Avenue Wednesday morning. The man reportedly sustained several puncture wounds and needed medical treatment at Christ Hospital, where he was expected to recover.
Onlookers called police for assistance when they saw the man being attacked by the dog. Before the officer arrived, the dog switched targets to a nearby 16-year-old sophomore who was walking to Urban Prep Academy, his high school. The dog bit the teenager in several spots including his right leg and foot. The officer yelled at the dog to get its attention, and when that failed, fired a shot at the pit bull.
The pit bull responded to the gun shot by running at the officer, who again fired at the dog, this time hitting and killing it. The officer helped get the teenager medical treatment at St. Bernard Hospital and Health Care Center where the teen received stitches and was later discharged.
While the sergeant was not injured by the dog today, he did respond to a call last week involving a different attacking dog and the sergeant was bitten in that incident.
Animal attack lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. filed a lawsuit this year in a very similar case. Our client was severely attacked by two pit bills on the South Side in 2012. He was saved when Chicago police arrived and shot & killed one of the dogs. The other was euthanized.
Our client sustained awful lacerations, underwent multiple surgeries and incurred hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills. His arms have significant permanent scarring due to the attack.
Illinois law holds an owner, harborer, or one in possession of a dog liable for any injuries the dog causes to another person. This includes medical bills incurred as a result of a dog attack or other damages you may incur. Any dog can turn vicious and attack but some breeds are more likely to cause injuries. Pit bulls, dobermans, and rottweilers often cause serious or fatal injuries due to their muscular builds and strong jaws. Attacks against children can be particularly violent since children are less able to defend themselves against a strong and determined dog that is set on attacking.
The law in Illinois holds the owner of a dog liable for injuries in almost every situation except if the dog has been provoked into attacking. If a dog charges, attacks, threatens, or bites, and you are injured, it is likely that you have a claim for any damages you sustain.
The law covering animal attacks is complicated in the state, making it important that you speak with a knowledgeable and experienced attorney as soon as you can. If you have been hurt by a dog or if a family member has been injured or killed, call the dog bite lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. today to speak with a lawyer and learn whether you have a case. We have a lawyer available 24 hours a day and we will work around your schedule. If you want to meet with us in person but you are too injured to travel to our offices, we will provide you with a free in-home or in-hospital consultation regarding your rights. Call us today at (312) 924-7575 and let us fight to get you a recovery you deserve.
Prior Blog Entries:
Chicago Driver Hits and Kills Bicyclist, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published May 15, 2013.
Wrongful Death of Illinois Student Killed During Hazing, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published May 14, 2013.
Resources:
Sergeant kills pit bull attacking teen: ‘That dog would have killed me,’ by Liam Ford, Chicago Tribune, published May 15, 2013.