Laws in the state of Pennsylvania are clear about an owner’s responsibility to protect people from being attacked, bitten or harmed by their dogs. Unfortunately, dog attacks still result in hundreds of injuries and deaths each year in the United States, mostly due to dog owner negligence. For victims, understanding the law and their rights is critical to recover damages after dog bite attacks.

Attacks from dogs that result in bites and other injuries can often result in gruesome and serious personal injuries that can require extensive medical treatment. When children are involved, these injuries may even be life-threatening. Dog owners are responsible for the actions of their animals and dog bite victims may pursue damages from those owners to pay for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.

Links to news articles about dog bites and dog attacks that occurred in Pennsylvania.

According to dogbite.org, “In a 3-year period (January 2006 to December 2008), pit bulls killed 52 Americans. This is equivalent to a pit bull killing an American every 21 days.”

During the first six months of 2009 (January through June), the states with the highest number of media reported pit bull attack victims were:

• Texas (38)
• Florida (34)
• Ohio (21)
• Pennsylvania (18)
• Virginia (18)
• New York (16)