Personal Injury Law

Pit bulls attack multiple people in Columbia, Missouri

By Ryan Bradley, Esq.

Columbia police shot and killed a pit bull after responding to reports that several people had been chased or attacked by the aggressive dogs, according to the Columbia Daily Tribune.

The calls came from Grindstone area of Columbia, Missouri. Several people called saying they had been bitten or chased, though police only assisted one man. Mark Adamson, 27, the manager for the GNC on Grindstone, was bitten and suffered injuries to his right leg. His condition was not reported by the Tribune.

Police then followed witness reports to locate two pit bulls outside the Kohl?s department store on Green Meadows Road. As the officers approached, one of the pit bulls became aggressive and came toward an officer, Harlan Hatton, according to the Tribune. Hatton fired three shots, hitting with all of them, and the pit bull was killed.

The other dog ran away only to later be brought in to animal control.

The owner of the dogs, Dakota Crites, 18, was arrested on suspicion of third-degree assault and obstructing a government operation.

Missouri law holds owners of dangerous dogs responsible for the injuries that can be caused by those animals. The most common type of animal attack in Missouri is a dog bite. Many municipalities have proposed legislation to outlaw certain breeds, such as pit bulls, to reduce the number of dog attacks. Columbia has not enacted these restrictions.

An estimated 800,000 people in the United States are treated for dog bites and an average of 20 die each year. The most common victims are children, who account for more than 60 percent of all dog bite cases.

In Missouri, owners of dangerous animals can be held strictly liable for injuries caused by known dangerous animals. This means an owner does not have to be negligent in order to be held legally responsible for injuries caused by their animal. The mere fact the dog or other animal caused an injury is enough to impose liability in a personal injury lawsuit.

Full post as published by Missouri Accident Lawyer Blog on April 29, 2009 (boomark / email).