Woman Injured In Chicago Dog Attack Near South Ashland Avenue
Personal Injury - March 20, 2024
52-Year-Old Woman Injured In Chicago Dog Attack On South Ashland Avenue Before Being Rescued By Police Officer
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (March 20, 2024) – A 52-year-old woman was injured after being attacked by two dogs on the South Side of Chicago on South Ashland Avenue.
Cook County officials are saying that the incident took place around 8:13 a.m. on Thursday. A woman was outside when she was attacked by two large dogs.
A Chicago police officer responded to the scene and shot and killed one of the dogs in order to save the woman. The second dog was subdued by animal control.
Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the injured woman.
Liability For Chicago Dog Attacks
Dog attacks remain one of the leading sources of preventable injury in the United States. Many people are so severely injured that they end up dying. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “During 2011–2021, a total of 468 deaths from being bitten or struck by a dog occurred (average = 43 deaths per year). The annual number of deaths ranged from 31 (2016) to 81 (2021).” Dog owners should take a number of steps in order to prevent their animals from biting anyone.
- Owners should ensure that their dog is properly secured in their yard or house.
- Owners should do their best to socialize dogs at a young age.
- Owners should have their dogs on leashes unless they are in a designated off-leash area.
- Owners should properly supervise their dogs at all times.
Depending on the facts of any case, a dog owner could be held liable if their animal bites someone. Illinois is one of several strict liability states when it comes to dog attacks. 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.” It is important that several steps be taken after any dog attack.
- Eyewitnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- The owners of the dog should be determined.
- An experienced dog bite injury lawyer should be contacted.
Dog attacks are often highly preventable. These incidents tend to occur when dog owners let their animals off-leash or leave them unsupervised. It can be hard to know where to begin after a dog attack. But it is important for victims to understand that they do have rights. Any person who is injured in a dog attack may have legal recourse through a civil claim. A dog bite injury lawyer can examine the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating Chicago Dog Attacks
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to the woman injured in this dog attack. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. There needs to be some accountability for the sake of the victim.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Chicago dog attack? You may have legal recourse through a civil claim. Our team of personal injury attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that victims of dog attacks are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.