Multiple Injured in Peoria Dog Attack at Homeless Encampment
Personal Injury - February 20, 2025
Dogs Released Into Peoria Homeless Encampment Attacked Multiple People
PEORIA, ILLINOIS (February 19, 2024) – Several people were injured after two dogs were released into a homeless encampment and began attacking people in Peoria.
Authorities are still investigating who may have released the dogs into the encampment. The dogs began attacking several people, and the attack lasted roughly 15 minutes.
Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victims. Two people were taken to the hospital. One of them required surgery, and the other was released near midnight.
When police arrived at the scene, they ended up killing one of the dogs. A full investigation into the incident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Illinois Dog Attacks
Millions of people are injured in dog attacks every year in the United States. According to The Journalist’s Resource, “Roughly 4.4 million people a year are bitten by a dog in the United States, resulting in an estimated 885,000 injuries that require medical attention, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).” Dog owners should take a number of measures in order to prevent attacks.
- Dog owners should ensure that their animals are leashed except in designated off-leash areas.
- Dog owners should socialize their animals at a young age.
- Dog owners should properly confine their animals in their yard or home.
A dog owner could potentially be liable if their animal attacks someone in Illinois. Pursuant to 510 ILCS 5/16, “If a dog or other animal, without provocation, attacks, attempts to attack, or injures any person who is peaceably conducting himself or herself in any place where he or she may lawfully be, the owner of such dog or other animal is liable in civil damages to such person for the full amount of the injury proximately caused thereby.” Victims of dog attacks tend to suffer very serious injuries.
- Amputations
- Lacerations
- Infections
- Organ damage
It can be hard to know where to begin if you’ve been injured in a dog attack. Many victims are left with extensive medical bills. Even after the physical injuries from a dog attack have healed, it is common for people to suffer long-term psychological trauma, including anxiety and PTSD. It is important for victims of dog attacks to understand that they do have legal options. They are able to seek some measure of accountability through a bodily injury claim.
Investigating Peoria Dog Attacks
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to all of the people injured in this Peoria dog attack. Any person that may have more information should reach out to the Peoria Police Department. There needs to be some accountability for the sake of the victims.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Peoria dog attack? You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Our team of dog bite attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that victims of dog attacks get the support and justice that they are entitled to under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
