What Do Illinois Residents Need to Know About Fatal Dog Attacks?

 Posted on February 13, 2020 in Dog Bite Injuries

When individuals or families are looking to adopt a dog, it is important to consider every possible factor. For example, although canines are often viewed as fun-loving, playful animals, certain sounds or actions may lead to aggressive forms of behavior. A dog bite attack can leave a victim suffering from nerve damage, disfiguring scars, and various other injuries. In the most extreme cases, a wrongful death can result from an attack. If your loved one has lost their life due to the negligence of a dog owner, an experienced personal injury attorney can help you seek financial compensation for your loss.    

Aggressive Dog Breeds

Despite the fact that a dog may seem friendly and non-threatening, it is possible that an act of aggression can happen unexpectedly. Although it is possible that any breed of dog can act violently, there are certain breeds that may be more likely to attack. For instance, some of the breeds that are more commonly linked to aggressive actions include:

• Bulldogs

• Doberman Pinschers 

• German Shepherds

• Great Danes 

• Labrador Retrievers

• Mastiffs 

• Pit Bull Terriers

• Rottweilers

• Cross-Breeds

Issues That Increase the Risk of Dog Bite Fatalities

A dog attack can happen at any moment and can be classified as either “provoked” or “unprovoked.” In the event that a fatal dog attack does take place, some of the following elements may have contributed to the wrongful death:

• An able-bodied person was not nearby.

• The victim did not have a previous relationship with the canine.

• The dog was not spayed or neutered.

• The victim did not know how to safely interact with the canine.

• The dog is not a “family pet” or may not have been used to normal human interaction.

• The canine has previously suffered from abuse or neglect. 

Illinois Animal Control Act

According to the Illinois Animal Control Act, a “serious physical injury” is defined as a type of physical injury that can create a substantial risk of death or that causes death, disfigurement, impairment of health, or damage to any bodily organ. A dog's owner may be held liable for serious physical injuries caused by their animal, even if the animal did not have any history of aggressive behavior. Recently in Plainfield, Illinois, the owner of a pit bull was attacked and killed while three other victims survived with non-life-threatening injuries. Although the reason behind the attack is still unknown, this incident proves that an agitated animal may act violently towards an individual in any situation. If this attack was unprovoked, under the Illinois Animal Control Act, this canine would be classified as a “vicious dog.”     

Contact an Illinois Dog Bite Fatality Attorney

If a dog bite attack brought about the untimely passing of a loved one, surviving family members may file a wrongful death claim. Compensation gained from litigation may help the family with unpaid medical bills, funeral expenses, and other damages resulting from the injury. At Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices, our compassionate DuPage County wrongful death lawyers can help you seek justice for your loved one. To arrange a free consultation, contact our office today at 630-552-6860.  

Sources:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/201405/14-dog-breeds-blacklisted-insurance-companies

https://positively.com/articles/fatal-dog-bites-share-common-factors/

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1704&ChapterID=41

https://patch.com/illinois/plainfield/plainfield-dog-attack-victim-dies