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Mint Hill Dog Attack Injures Grandmother and Six-Year-Old Boy

In Mecklenburg County, a 6-year-old boy is in critical condition after being attacked by a pit bull on Wednesday. Also injured in the Mint Hill dog mauling incident was the child?s grandmother, who tried to rescue him. The pit bull belongs to a relative. Both grandmother and grandson had to undergo surgery from their injuries.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control has taken the dog into custody. It is not clear at this time whether charges will be filed.

North Carolina Dog Bite Injuries
Injuries from a dog bite can be excruciatingly painful for a victim. Young children and the elderly are especially at risk of sustaining dog bite injuries. Disfigurement, scarring, and emotional trauma can result.

According to Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, nearly twice as many people were hospitalized for dog bite injuries in 2008 than in 1993 when 5,100 dog bite victims were hospitalized. 9,500 dog attack patients were hospitalized two years ago.

? Also, in 2008, approximately 866 people day sought ER care for their dog bites. About 26 were admitted daily.
? About 50% of hospitalized patients were treated for tissue and skin infections.
? Many of the patients needed wound debridement or skin grafts.
? $18,200 was the average cost of a hospital stay for dog bite injuries.

Some dog bite wounds are serious enough to require plastic or reconstructive surgery. Because kids are still growing and developing, they may have to wait several years before undergoing such procedures, which can cause them to develop social issues and low self-esteem.

Because of the state?s contributory negligence law, settling your North Carolina dog mauling claim can be tough, which is why you need to explore your options with an experienced Charlotte, North Carolina dog bite law firm as soon as possible.

6-year-old boy critically injured in pit bull attack, Charlotte Observer, December 24, 2010

Risks: Hospital Admissions for Dog Bites Are on the Rise, The New York Times, December 10, 2010

Emergency Department Visits and Inpatient Stays Involving Dog Bites, 2008, AHRQ (PDF)

Related Web Resources:
Animal Bites, National Institute of Health

Quick Overview of Dog Bite Laws, Animal Law

Full post as published by North Carolina Injury Lawyer Blog on December 24, 2010 (boomark / email).