A Salt Lake City man is reported to be recovering from injuries recently sustained in a dog bite attack. Michael Burdett was involved in an incident in which the owner of a 60 pound pit bull mix, Aaron Thomas, purportedly commanded the animal to attack Burdett, inflicting injury to his arms, legs and stomach. Thomas claims that Burdett tried to run him over with his motorized wheelchair and thus the impetus for urging his dog to attack him; the use and return of a cell phone to its proper owner may also have caused the rift between these two men. Regardless, Thomas has been arrested on assault charges and his dog is being held at the Animal Serves kennel in Salt Lake City. The injured man in the incident, Burdett, does not want the dog to be put down, saying that it wasn’t the dog’s fault that the event occurred.

It is unfortunate that put bills should be vilified for their fierce loyalty to their owners, to the extent that they would attack someone or something else at his/her command. Dogobedienceadvice.com cites the bulldog as being “very playful and gentle,” but “can’t shake off their ‘bad dog’ image.’“ As admitted by the victim of the accident itself, this was a negligent act on the part of the owner and not the animal.

A Utah dog bite lawyer is able to help victims such as the one above to receive compensation for their losses, which often are more than physical. The emotional trauma that may accompany physical disfigurement must be compensated for. Contact an advocate at the Christensen Law Firm that cares at (801) 506-0800.

Last month, a Denver news reporter was bit by an Argentine mastiff, requiring hospitalization for her injuries.  Kyle Dyer was reporting the rescue of the dog that was stuck in icy water for an extended period of time.  As she bent down to pet the mastiff, he bit her.  Now, one month, 90 stitches and two surgeries later, she has been able to return to work.  The residual injuries are a scar on top of her mouth and she has no feeling in her lips.  Fortunately Kyle is in such high spirits and is happy for the dog.  The mastiff was ultimately given back to his family after being quarantined for ten days.  Although dogs are wonderful animals that often provide great compassion to their owners, dogs have emotions and fears.  Their way of communicating is through adverse behavior such as biting.  If you should ever fall victim of a dog bite, a dog bite lawyer could legally assist you during your recovery.

Dog Bite Accident Book

Once a person is bit by a dog, many questions may arise.  The days following the incident are the most crucial moments in deciding what needs to be done.  The following is a list of a few actions to consider after a dog bite:

1. Seek medical attention;
2. Listen to your doctor;
3. Hire a dog bite lawyer.

The Christensen Law Firm is dedicated to legally representing the members of their community when such incidents occur.  We have published a series of free accident books, one of which is The Utah Dog Bite & Attack Handbook.  These books go more into detail about what your next steps should be following an accident.  With devotion to our clients, we guarantee compassion to your case.  For a copy of The Utah Dog Bite & Attack Handbook, call us at 1-800 LAW BOOK.

Over a week ago, Deseret News reported on an incident involving a rescued Argentine mastiff that bit a reporter in the face while she was reporting on his rescue.  As the story goes, the mastiff was walking off leash with his owner when a coyote appeared.  The mastiff then chased after the coyote and fell into icy water.  Firefighters came to rescue the dog, over the course of which it was very cooperative.  As the reporter, Kyle Dyer, was reporting on the recently transpired events, she decided to pet the dog and his immediate response was to bite her.  Although Dyer is doing well, she had to be hospitalized.  The dog was impounded and the owner was cited as usual.  In this particular case, hiring a dog bite attorney is probably the single-most important decision this reporter could make.

Dog Bite Accident Book Published By Dog Bite Attorney

Dogs are great animals that provide their owners with amazing companionship and personality; however, dogs can be dangerous.  Despite how nice dogs may be, they still have natural animalistic instincts.  In the case above, this mastiff may have been quite gentle, but with the stress of the situation and the attention thereafter, the dog may have acted out of character.  Regardless, there is no telling how a dog will react, just as it is unlikely to predict the actions of a three year-old.  Protecting yourself from a dog bite is as essential as wearing your seat belt in a vehicle.  The following prevention tips are included for your protection:

1. Get to know a dog first before petting a dog;
2. Never provoke a dog; and
3. Never have direct contact with a dog that has been frightened and does not know you.

The Christensen Law Firm has published a series of accident books.  In the case of a dog bite injury, we have published a book specifically for that sort of incident called The Utah Dog Bite & Attack Handbook.  We are professional legal representatives who are devoted to taking care of you and ensuring outstanding service in helping you gain the compensation you need.  For a free copy of The Utah Dog Bite & Attack Handbook or any other accident book, call us at 1-800 LAW BOOK.

There are many ways to prevent a dog bite, but when prevention tips are insufficient, and a bite occurs, call a Utah dog bite lawyer. The Christensen Law Firm always has a Utah dog bite lawyer on hand to aid those injured by dog bites. In the mean time, prevention is the best option. The Centers for Disease Control suggests the following tips to avoid getting bit by a dog:

Tips to Avoid Dog Bites

1. Do not approach an unfamiliar dog.
2. Do not run from a dog and scream.
3. Remain motionless (e.g., “be still like a tree”) when approached by an unfamiliar dog.
4. If knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and lie still (e.g., “be still like a log”).
5. Do not play with a dog unless supervised by an adult.
6. Immediately report stray dogs or dogs displaying unusual behavior to an adult.
7. Avoid direct eye contact with a dog.
8. Do not disturb a dog who is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
9. Do not pet a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.
10. If bitten, immediately report the bite to an adult.

Another important tip that could be added to this list is the ability to ‘read’ a dog’s attitude. Dogs can be read like people. They have moods that show up as physical features just like humans. When the upper lip is raised, showing teeth, aggression and possible anger is likely. Stay away from the dog. Growling and lowered ears send this same message. Tucked tails, raised ears, and an open mouth with tongue hanging are all good signs of general happiness. Always ‘read’ a dog’s appearance before approaching it. Just like humans, dogs show how they feel through their physical expressions; look for emotional signs before you get close to a dog.

The Christensen Law Firm always has a Utah dog bite lawyer to help those who have been bitten by someone else’s dog. They always have a Utah injury attorney to seek compensation for those who have suffered dog bites, which more than likely have caused pain, injuries, and possibly diseases. Call us today to speak with an advocate who intimately knows the law and your rights: 1-801-506-0800.

A dog bite attorney may sound unnecessary to many individuals, but the truth of the matter is, that there are many vicious dogs around that can cause severe injury to any person. The dog bite attorneys at the Christensen Law Firm are working diligently to educate the public about victim’s rights so that these attacks won’t continue to go unreported and unresolved.

There are many loving pet owners, however, many of whom are unaware of their pets or are unwilling to recognize the potential their pet has to injure others. Negligence and unawareness gives the opportunity for any pet or pet owner to be faced with a dog bite situation.

Usually it is the dog owner’s responsibility and their fault that the injury occurred. Dog bite injuries are a serious issue. In 2010, 33 dog attacks resulted in death. 20 of those deaths were children and 13 were adults. That is too high a number for something that is entirely preventable.

Pit bulls are one of the most dangerous dog breeds in America. Another breed to make this list is the Rottweiler. DogsBite.org did a study between 2005 and 2010 and found that these two dog breeds were responsible for 71% of all fatal attacks. Pit bulls, however, are the more dangerous of the two. The fatal attacks involving pit bulls and any mix of the breed, more than doubles that of Rottweiler’s.

Pit bulls are genetically built for attacks and that is why they are the top choice for dog fighting. They are known for surprise attacks, which means that there is no warning before they attack someone or something. They also have a lethal bite style called the hold and shake.

Taylorsville, Utah City officials recently dropped the plan to develop a breed-specific restriction ordinance that outlawed pit bull and related breeds. They, instead, decided to reinforce their already existing “viscious animal ordinances.”

All dogs are capable of turning violent and it is up to the owners to carefully watch their dog while in public and at home. Dogs need to be securely restrained when around other people to prevent incidents like these. All people should be aware of the risks of certain breeds and how to handle an attack if it happens. If your children are frequently out on the streets alone then they also need to be taught what to do and what to look out for.

According to society.ezinemark.com, about 5 million people suffer from dog bites in the US annually. In cases where the dog has insurance coverage the insurance company will do all it takes to see that your claim is not accepted. To get you the compensation you deserve, you will need the help and expertise of a dog bite attorney.

The personal injury attorneys at the Christensen Law Firm offer The Utah Dog Bite & Attack Handbook free of charge to Utah citizens in an attempt to educate the public.  Get your free copy today at here. If you or a loved one has been injured in an attack like this call the dog bite attorneys at Christensen Law Firm to find out what options are available to you. Call today at 801-506-0800.