Young Boy Killed in Dog Bite Attack
A child lost his life at the tender age of 9 in a heartbreaking tragedy. According to the Yuba County Sheriff’s Office, the boy died of wounds he received after being attacked by three pit bulls belonging to his sister.
Where Did This Happen?
Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the 6200 block of Dunning Avenue in Linda, California. They found the boy inside a travel-trailer home at around 10:00 a.m. with life-threatening dog bite wounds. He was transported to a hospital. Unfortunately, he died after his arrival.
How Did Something Like This Happen?
According to reports, his sister left him home alone while she was at work. Three pit bulls were also in the travel-trailer home with the child, and no one else was present. The sister arrived home from work and immediately called 911 after discovering her brother.
- An attorney has stated that the child was in foster care but was granted overnight visits by CPS with his 24-year-old sister at her home, where the dog attack occurred.
- The child’s aunt had earlier expressed concern about the premises where the boy would visit his sister.
- CPS released a statement expressing being deeply saddened by the tragedy.
- Yuba County Animal Care Services said that the three dogs seized had no prior history of attacks.
- An autopsy will be performed this week.
Who is Responsible for this Tragedy?
The primary statute specifying responsibility in California dog bite cases is:
Civil Code section 3342: (a) The owner of any dog is liable for damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private home, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such cruelty.
Are There Any Exceptions?
Most of the time, when a dog bites, the owner is responsible for all damages. A few exceptions include if someone was trespassing and attacked by a dog. Or if someone was provoking the dog and got attacked.
Was the County Responsible?
The county should investigate the safety of homes where foster children reside and ensure a minor child in their care is adequately supervised and cared for.
The child will have an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. In the meantime, charges may or may not be filed by the Yuba County District Attorney’s Office.
Grieving Family Members
Our condolences go out to the family of this innocent young boy. Tragedies like this one are devastating and life-altering. Family members are left to pick up the pieces of this senseless tragedy. Coping with grief after the loss of a child is painful.
Loss of Children: Please call Compassionate Friends at 916-457-4096. This is a help and support group for parents or others who have lost a child.
Yuba County Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Linda Personal Injury Lawyer since 1982. If a loved one has been injured or killed in an accident because someone else was negligent or reckless, call our legal team for free, friendly advice at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400.
Learn more about us on our company website: www.autoaccident.com.
A listing of our verdicts and settlements can be found here.
Photo Attribution: Wikimedia Commons Public Domain Image
Sources(s): Fox40 News, KCRA3 News