Girl Severely Mauled in Dog Bite Attack in Georgia
A serious dog bite incident in Georgia this week critically injured an eight-year-old girl. The attack has also led to louder calls for breed specific legislation in the state.
Earlier this week, eight-year-old Erin Ingraham was playing in the yard at her Atlanta home when she was attacked by two Staffordshire Terrier dogs. Animal control officers were able to get the dogs off the little girl. One of the dogs was shot and killed in the scuffle, while another has been caught, and is likely to be euthanized.
The attack was vicious, and Erin suffered serious injuries. She continues to remain in intensive care, and has undergone several surgeries since the attack. Obviously, Erin is looking at a long, traumatizing and painful recuperation. My prayers are with the little girl, and I hope that she makes a speedy recovery.
Meanwhile, the viciousness of the attacks have spurred calls for stronger dog bite legislation in Georgia. Georgia‘s dog bite laws don't allow for strict liability in a dog bite case. That means that when a bite incident occurs in Georgia, the dog must have been involved in a previous attack for the owner to be held liable. In comparison under New Jersey's strict liability laws, an owner can be held liable for the injuries caused by his dog even if it was the very first dog bite incident involving the animal.
In Georgia, the attack on Erin has led to at least one legislator calling for a ban on violent animals, or at least some kind of restrictions on violent breeds.
Scott Grossman is a New Jersey dog bite lawyer, representing injured victims of dog bites in Monmouth, Bergen, Passaic and Ocean Counties, and across the state of New Jersey.