Much has been made in recent years of dog attacks on people, and while there are criminal laws in place that hold owners of these dogs responsible for attacks that lead to injuries and deaths, it has not stopped the dangers from continuing to threaten unsuspecting citizens. Tragically, two attacks by pit bulls recently in the area have once again brought the issue to light.

According to the Modesto Bee:

“Colton Smith, 17 months old, was mauled to death Friday by a pit bull named Max in the back yard of his baby sitter’s Delhi house.

The dog hadn’t been neutered. The other case involved a woman mauled Oct. 1 on a street in the town.

While attacks often prompt knee-jerk reactions against specific breeds, dog advocacy groups say most fatal maulings don’t stem from any one breed. More often than not, attacks are caused by owner neglect or abuse, rather than traits tied to a certain breed, advocates say.

Nationally, more than 4 million people are bitten each year by dogs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Unfortunately, he added, the pit bull is popular with reckless and irresponsible owners. He cited a statistic from the NCRC: 70 percent of all dog bite incidents involved un-neutered male dogs.”

While criminal charges could result from either of these cases, the owners of these dogs could also face extreme civil liability. If you or someone you love has been injured or worse in a dog attack, you need the help of a Sacramento personal injury lawyer who has been holding those responsible for injuries accountable for many years. Contact Demas & Rosenthal today to schedule a free initial consultation.