Personal Injury Law

Worcester Boy Injured in Massachusetts Pit Bull Attack Gets Over 100 Stitches on his Face

By Altman & Altman

A 3-year-old boy who was seriously injured during a Worcester, Massachusetts dog attack is reportedly so traumatized by what happened that he doesn?t want to go home. Bartolo Colon was bitten on the face by a neighbor?s pit bull on Saturday after midnight.

Colon has cuts on his face and had to get over 100 stitches. His eyes are still swollen.

The pit bull is 11-months-old and weights 85 pounds. There are no records that the dog?s shots were updated and his owners may not have obtained a dog license for him. On Saturday, animal control officers took him away.

The brother of the dog?s owner says the pit bull is normally not aggressive at all and likes kids. Colon?s mother Andrea, however, says she has complained to the landlord of the apartment building several times about the animal. In the meantime, her son is staying at his grandmother?s house.

According to DogsBite.org, pit bull-like dogs were accountable for the deaths of 52 Americans between 2006 and 2008. They also were responsible for 59% of all deadly dog attacks. Pit bulls are also involved in most off-property dog maulings that result in human fatalities.

DogsBites.org reports that from January to June 2009 318 dog attack incidents involving pit bulls and their mixes occurred resulting in 388 bite victims.

Dog mauling incidents can be traumatic, painful, and lead to lasting physical and emotional scars for the victim. Fortunately, Massachusetts has laws holding dog owners strictly liable for injuries inflicted by their dogs. In some cases, a premise owner that may not be the dog owner but who allowed the animal onto the property can also liable for premises liability.

Dog bite victims may incur costly medical expenses from reconstructive surgeries, plastic surgeries, therapy, and other treatments.

Boy traumatized by dog , Boston.com, September 28, 2009

Mid Year Results: U.S. Pit Bull Attacks 2009, DogsBite.org

Related Web Resources:
General Laws of Massachusetts

Top Ten (10) Most Dangerous Dog Breeds

Full post as published by Boston Injury Lawyer Blog on September 28, 2009 (boomark / email).