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3-Year-Old Boy Falls From Window And Is Attacked By His Family’s Pitbulls

Posted in Dog Attack on Wednesday, June 30, 2021.

Tragedies involving dogs seem to occur way too often. They can be unpredictable and anxiety-inducing. Last month, in Elizabeth, New Jersey the worst possible outcome concerning dog attacks happened when a three-year-old fell from an opened window into his backyard where the family pit bulls mauled him to death.

Dog attacks are the last thing on most people’s minds, but the unexpected can happen in an instant. If you or a loved one have been injured in a dog attack, seek legal assistance as soon as possible from the Philadelphia dog attack attorneys at Soloff & Zervanos. We can walk beside you until you get the compensation you deserve.

The tragedy

The child plunged from a rear window of the house. He fell at least 10 feet down to the backyard, where the family’s pit bulls were fenced in. The boy was taken to the hospital with serious injuries where he was later pronounced dead. The dogs were secured and taken by the local animal control organization.

No charges have been filed yet, but an investigation is underway by the Union County Homicide Task Force, the Prosecutor’s Office’s Special Victims Unit and Special Prosecutions Unit, and the Union County Sheriff’s Office’s Crime Scene Unit, and being assisted by members of the Elizabeth Police Department.

Reportedly, the dogs have been euthanized by the city. The dogs have been described by neighbors as both “aggressive” and “never…bad.” Despite the mixed description of the pit bulls, one neighbor reported an indisputable fact when they stated, “It’s really sad.”

The bigger picture

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year in the United States, more than 4.5 million people suffer from dog bites. Americans had approximately 90 million pet dogs in 2019/2020.

Not all dog bites are serious, but many are. Among the statistics reported by the CDC, some interesting dog bite facts include:

  • Children and the elderly are at higher risk of serious injuries from dog attacks
  • One-in-five dog bites require medical attention
  • 38 dog attacks resulted in deaths in 2018, pit bulls were responsible for 26 of the fatalities
  • 46 dog attacks resulted in death in 2019, pit bulls were responsible for 33 of the fatalities
  • Dogs attacked more than 5,800 postal employees in 2019
  • Dog attacks increased 300% during the Covid-19 pandemic

The statistics show that most dog attacks will not result in severe injuries or death, but 20% will. Here are the most common types of injuries sustained:

  • Infections
  • Puncture wounds
  • Nerve damage
  • Psychological and emotional injuries
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Severed veins, arteries, muscles, or tendons

When should I contact a lawyer?

Dog attack cases can be complex, but the Philadelphia dog attack attorneys at Soloff & Zervanos will work tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve, including:

  • Coverage of medical expenses
  • Lost income
  • Loss of enjoyment of life damages
  • Pain and suffering damages
  • Punitive damages, when possible

If you or a loved one have been injured due to the negligence of a dog’s owner, contact us immediately for a free consultation by clicking here or calling us at 866-597-8572.