According to data compiled by the National Canine Research Council (NCRC), nearly one-third of dog owners implicated in dog bite accidents in 2011 were charged with criminal offenses. The NCRC has researched dog bite-related fatalities for more than 20 years, and this investigative report includes all deaths resulting from dog bites throughout 2011. Among the …
According to data compiled by the National Canine Research Council (NCRC), nearly one-third of dog owners implicated in dog bite accidents in 2011 were charged with criminal offenses. The NCRC has researched dog bite-related fatalities for more than 20 years, and this investigative report includes all deaths resulting from dog bites throughout 2011. Among the charges filed against dog owners in these incidents were manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and endangering the welfare of a child. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, or if a family member was killed, in a dog bite accident in Oklahoma, don’t hesitate to protect your legal rights. Contact our knowledgeable lawyers at Oklahoma Legal Center to explore your possible compensation options.
Criminal Charges for Dog Attacks
The NCRC maintains the most complete database for dog bite accidents in the United States, and its latest report was essentially a summary of in-depth investigations into deaths from 2011 dog attacks. In addition to information about owner liability in dog bite accidents, the NCRC also found what it felt was persuasive evidence of owner abuse and neglect of many of the dogs implicated in these devastating incidents. Although only one dog owner was formally charged with animal abuse, the organization’s inquiries revealed cases of owners isolating their dogs for long periods of time, failing to provide necessary medical care, confining them on chains, or allowing them to run loose despite neighbors’ complaints.
Consequences of Dog Bite Accidents
In an effort to more effectively analyze dog attacks in the U.S., the NCRC differentiated between “resident dogs” and “family dogs” in its report. Resident dogs are those, whether confined within a dwelling or otherwise, whose owners isolate them from positive human interactions. According to the analysis, 68% of all fatal dog bite accidents in 2011 involved resident dogs, not dogs kept as family pets. Although, as a whole, deaths resulting from dog attacks in the United States are rare, the consequences resulting from dog bites are often devastating. If an attack does not result in death, the victim may sustain significant injuries, possibly including broken bones, permanent scarring or disfigurement, lacerations, crush injuries, and more.
Contact Our Experienced Lawyers Today
The introduction of the NCRC’s report emphasizes the responsibility of owners to their dogs and to the community at large. Unfortunately, when dog attacks do occur, the dog owner isn’t always held liable for the victim’s injuries. If you have been injured in a dog bite accident in Oklahoma City, or elsewhere in Oklahoma, contact our qualified attorneys at Oklahoma Legal Center today. Our team of skilled lawyers has extensive experience handling dog bite claims, and will work diligently to help you pursue the financial compensation you deserve for your injuries. There are certain factors that must be addressed in a successful dog bite claim, and our law firm can help handle these important details so you don’t have to.