Alton Man Dies After Being Attacked by Pit Bull

 Posted on February 14, 2025 in Animal Attacks

A man in his early 50s recently died after being attacked by a pit bull in a home in Alton. Firefighters and police were called to the home, where the bite victim remained inside with the dog while family members were outside in the driveway. Officers entered the home, and a gunshot was heard by those outside.

While the EMT personnel tried to treat the man and called for a Medi-vac helicopter, the man succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. There was no information regarding what caused the dog to attack the man. If you are the victim of a dog bite or attack, speaking to a knowledgeable Kane County, IL dog bite attorney can help ensure you receive justice in the form of a fair settlement that covers your damages.

Are Pit Bulls More Likely to Attack Than Other Breeds?

A study that tracked dog bites and dog attacks for 13 years found that out of the 433 deaths from dog bites, pit bulls were responsible for 66 percent of those deaths. Rottweilers were responsible for 10 percent of deaths from dog attacks, with bulldogs, mastiffs, German shepherds, huskies, and mixed breeds making up the remaining 24 percent of dog bites or attacks that led to death. This is not to say that all pit bulls are dangerous, but they may be considered unpredictable, and historically, pit bulls were bred to fight one another in illegal dog fights.

How Does Illinois Treat Dog Bites?

Dogs can bite when they are frightened, provoked, or think their owner or food is being threatened. A dog bite can have long-term consequences, including nerve and tissue damage. Children are the victims of many dog bites, and because a child’s face is closer to the dog’s mouth than an adult’s face, children are often bitten in the face, sometimes causing permanent disfigurement.

The Illinois Animal Control Act was signed into law in 2016. Under this Act, dog owners are responsible for any injuries their dogs cause victims through a bite or attack. The victim of the attack or bite is not required to show that the dog’s owner was negligent to recover compensation for medical expenses. However, if the dog bite victim wants to recover lost wages and pain and suffering damages, he or she must show the dog owner was negligent.

Two circumstances will release a dog owner from liability for the victim’s injuries: if the victim was trespassing when the bite occurred or if the victim provoked the dog into attacking him or her. Victims of dog bites must report the bite to the local Animal Services, and the dog must be confined for 10 days. The dog's owner must have it examined by a licensed veterinarian within 24 hours of the bite.

If the dog has not already been microchipped, it will be microchipped during its confinement period at the owner’s expense. A dog not up-to-date on its rabies shots must receive these shots during confinement. If the owner refuses to comply with these regulations, he or she can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor. Subsequent offenses can be charged as Class 4 felonies.

Contact a DuPage County, IL Dog Bite Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been attacked or bitten by a dog, it is important that you speak to an experienced Naperville, IL dog bite attorney from Dog Bite Injury Lawyer - Mevorah Law Offices LLC. We are a large law firm with more than 175 years of collective experience helping people just like you. We are willing to go to trial and fight aggressively for your rights and your future, and we operate on a contingency fee basis, which means we will not collect payment from you unless we win your case. Call 630-552-6860 to schedule your free consultation.