Fort Lauderdale Injury Lawyer Blog

The Florida Senate is advancing a bill that establishes stricter requirements for dog owners of certain dangerous breeds of dog. The bill requires that owners of dangerous breeds such as pit bulls be mandated to mauzzle the animal to prevent a serious dog bite, carry insurance to pay for attacks and take courses in ownership of these animals.

This contraversial bill would repeal Florida's current law that forbids dog breed specific regulation. Support for the legislation has gained support after recent vicious dog attacks on children in Broward and Palm Beach County. Although the bill's drafters targeted pit bulls, the bill also covers other presumed dangerous breeds.

The Fort Lauderdale dog bite lawyers at our firm can assist you or a loved one if you were the victim of a dog or animal bite.

Continue reading "Florida Bill Targets Pit Bulls and Other Vicious Dog Breeds" »

A pit bull charged a Broward County Sheriff's deputy and, as a result, was shot and killed. The dog attacked the police officer after the deputy was called to investigate complaints of a loose pit bull roaming the streets of Fort Lauderdale. When the deputy located the pit bull it attacked him and he shot it twice. The animal was taken to Broward County Animal Control where an investigation is ongoing. The dog was not wearing a collar and no one claimed the animal.

This is a primary example of why it is mandatory as a dog owner to keep your animal within the confines of your home and on a leash when walking it. Of course, if this animal would have attacked a human being, the ending could have been much different. If you or a loved one are the victim of a dog bite or animal attack, please contact the Fort Lauderdale dog bite lawyers at our firm to assist you.

Continue reading "Pit Bull Attacks Police Officer in Broward County" »

Florida wildlife managers will pursue a ban on the import of Burmese python and eight other giant exotic snakes that threaten the Everglades. The move could make the snakes rarer in pet stores, which have put snakes into the hands of owners who later released them, fueling an explosion of the reptiles across South Florida and causing an increase in the number of animal bites and animal attacks.

State wildlife managers, meanwhile, are finalizing plans aimed at more directly controlling their spread in the wild: a hunting season for Burmese python and other constrictors.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission already allows licensed hunters to kill snakes they encounter during small-game and other hunting seasons in wildlife management areas. But the agency also intends to create a two-month season specifically for the troublesome snakes.

As Fort Lauderdale animal bite and animal attack lawyers, these proposed measures are sure to reduce the number of bites caused by negligent snake owners to innocent victims.

Continue reading "Law Aims to Rid South Florida of Alien Snakes" »

Florida is the center of tourism in the continental United States. Accordingly, Florida is filled with hotels, motels, hostels and other paid residences that are available to accomodate its tourists. Unfortunately, many of the tourists that stay at these hotels/motels are also finding bed bugs in their rooms. The bed bug epidemic has hit Florida and hit it hard. It makes no difference whether the facility is a 5 star or 5 diamond rated property or an inexpensive motel, bed bugs find their way into the mattresses and the linens.

However, now there is a website that has been started that tracks hotels and motels in Florida that are infested with bed bugs or where there has been a report of bed bugs biting the guests. The website is called The Bedbug Registry and can be used to determine whether a hotel, motel or apartment complex has had any previous reports of bed bug infestation.

As a Florida bed bug lawyer, I would highly recommend visitng this site before checking into any hotel or motel in Florida. One would hate to have their vacation ruined.

Continue reading "Bed Bugs Invade Florida - Website Publishes Reports of Hotel Bed Bug Infestation" »

I was recently surfing the internet when I came across a webite that promotes the establishment and strict enforcement of community efforts and legislation to prevent dog bites from occuring. The website, www.p-a-c-k.org, or Parents Against Canine Killers, promotes education and safety amongst dog owners to prevent agression and subsequent dog bites and attacks. As a Fort Lauderdale dog bite attorney, I was shocked to see how graphic this site was in getting its message across - calling dogs loaded weapons is a little extreme.

According to the site, 1000 people will go to the emergency room today alone for treatment for dog bites and animal attacks. Most of the victims are children who suffer bites to the face, neck and head. Additionally, most of these attacks will result in permanent scarring and disfigurement. PACK's goal is to educate the public on why dogs attacks occur and how owners can prevent same. PACK's concerns rest primarily with the actions of dog owners and not necessarily the agressive instincts of these animals.

Continue reading "Has It Gotten That Bad? - Parents Against Canine Killers" »

Despite popular belief, the breed of a dog is not a factor behind a dog biting or displaying aggressive behavior. Instead, it is owners who are primarily responsible for the aggressive nature of their animal due to dominance or competition of their pets. Some of the factors that cause dog aggressiveness include: first time dog ownership, failure to subject the dog to formal obedience training, not using physical punishment when required, buying a dog as a present for someone else, leaving the dog with a constant supply of food and spending little quality time with the animal.

Approximately 40% of dominance aggression in dogs and dog bites is associated with the lack of authority of its owner. Although the breed of the dog, sex of the dog, size of the dog and age of the dog have some impact on overall aggression, these factors have a minimal effect on whether a dog behaves aggressively as compared to an owner's actions. In fact, dogs that are trained properly are less likely to bite and display aggressive behavior.

Continue reading "Breed of Dog Not a Significant Factor in Dog Bites and Aggressive Behavior" »

A recent study showed that young children are most vulnerable to dog bites when temperatures outside are high. The study specifically found that there is a correlation between severe dog bites to the head and neck of children and rising temperatures. Out of the eighty-four dog bites that were evaluated, most occurred in the summer months when temperatures were the highest. The evaluation also found that 27% of the 84 bites were caused by family owned dogs. It was unknown why there was such a jump in the number of dog bites in the summer months but two suggestions were that children spend more time outside with dogs during the summer and/or that dogs are more uncomfortable and, therefore, more aggressive when it is hot outside.

Obviously, this study should concern all parents in South Florida (especially Miami and Fort Lauderdale) where it is hot all year round. As we have previously reported, it is extremely important that parents talk to their children about the correct ways to interact with dogs including staying away from them when they are eating and not pulling their ears or tails and provoking them into biting.

Continue reading "Florida Parents Beware: Threat of Dog Bites Increases When Temperature Rises" »

Hall of Fame quarterback, Joe Namath, is being sued in Palm Beach County, Florida by a former UPS worker who was attacked and bitten by his dogs while trying to make a delivery. The victim of the animal attack has been out of work since 2007 as a result of the bites he suffered to his neck, back and knee. He required four surgeries to treat his injuries. The dog bite victim is suing Namath for more than $15,000.00 in damages.

Namath was recently fined by Palm Beach County after his dogs allegedly attacked three different people on three different occasions. His dogs were quarantined and were declared dangerous by a local magistrate. As a result the dogs must be muzzled and walked on Namath's property only.

Continue reading "Joe Namath Sued Over Dog Bites" »

Recently, a Davie, Florida veterinarian lost a client's dog when the animal was taken for a walk by a dog walker. A Boca Raton, Florida woman left three of her dogs with the veterinarian and one got away. The sad thing is that the vet failed to call his client and notify her of the incident. Instead, he thought that he would be able to locate the dog before she returned. More than three months later, the dog has not been found.

The story was covered in the Sun Sentinel. Please click on the following link to read the entire story entitled, "Where, oh where, is Pixie?" Howard Citron was asked to comment on this incident because the woman was curious to know what damages she was able to collect from the veterinarian as a result of the alleged negligence. Under Florida law, dogs are treated as property and nothing more. Unfortunately, the law is clear that a person is unable to sue for damages other than the replacement cost of the animal. There is no remedy available for pain and suffering and/or emotional distress damages although our pets are considered family members. In this case, the vet offered to compensate the woman the $2,000.00 she paid for the lost dog once she produced a receipt verifying the price.

Continue reading "Veterinarian Loses Client's Dog - What Can She Do?" »

Statistics show that only Texas and Georgia have a higher number of deaths caused by dog attacks. Florida ranks third. Interestingly, most of these attacks occurred on an owner's property and the victims were family members. According to the report, Pit Bulls and Rottweilers are the breeds responsible for the most human fatalities. The report goes on to say that 67% of all dog bites and animal attacks are caused by these two breeds. Sadly, the victims of the majority of the dog attacks that cause human fatalities are children.

Continue reading "Florida Has Third Highest Death Rate By Dogs" »

A Miami postal worker was attacked and bitten by three dogs while attempting to deliver the mail. The postal worker received at least 15 puncture wounds on her chest and on her legs. The postal worker used a deterrent spray to keep the dogs away but, despite her spraying the chemical at the animals, they continued to attack her. Miami-Dade County Animal Control believes that the dogs either jumped over a fence or broke through a fence to attack the postal worker. The woman was taken to Jackson Memorial Medical Center for treatment of her dog bites and injuries. This is the second time in recent months that a postal worker suffered serious dog bites while delivering the mail.

The owner of the dogs was not present when the animal attack took place. He was fined $515.00 by animal control officers for the incident. In addition, the dogs were taken from the owner and quarantined for 10 days to determine if they carry the rabies virus.

Continue reading "Miami Postal Worker Attacked and Bitten by Dogs" »

Palm Beach County, Florida has adopted a strict dangerous dog law as a result of an increase in recent dog bites and dog attacks. Authorities can declare a dog dangerous after it bites or attacks a human being or another animal just once. In the past, a dog needed to attack twice before it was able to be classified as dangerous. The penalty for the owner of a dog who has a dog declared dangerous includes significant fines and monetary penalties. The penalty for the dog is that it is mandated to be muzzled when it leaves an owner's home and must be kept in an escape proof enclosure.

In more severe attacks which cause death or serious bodily harm to a human being or animal, a dog can be declared vicious. The penalty for this designation is that a dog can be euthanized. Since 1995, 61 dogs have been declared vicious and have been put down in Palm Beach County.

Continue reading "Palm Beach County Adopts Strict Dangerous Dog Law" »

Recently, a couple sued J.C. Penny after they were bitten by bed bugs that had infested a mattress and furniture set purchased from the store. According to court files, the couple experienced months of itching and scratching after the bed bugs continued to bite them each night they slept in the bed. Although J.C. Penny offered to remove the furniture and exterminate the couple's bedroom, they decided to contact a lawyer and prosecute this matter. A jury returned a verdict of almost $50,000.00 to compensate this couple for their pain and suffering.

Many hotels and motels throughout South Florida are infested with bed bugs. Not only do these bugs bite, they can carry and pass disease. Additionally, the bites can leave permanent scarring and disfigurement to the body.

If you or a loved one were bitten by bed bugs in a recent hotel or motel stay in South Florida, please call our office for a free consultation.

Continue reading "Bitten by Bed Bugs - Couple Receives Five Figure Verdict" »

The Tampa Tribune has compiled research of animal attacks and dog bites in Florida for the last 35 years. The information is available at www.tbo.com. The research details incidents as common as dog bites and cat scratchings to tiger and shark attacks. The database classifies the information based on date, county, location, victim name, animal class and species.

Continue reading "Florida Animal Attack and Dog Bite Injuries Analyzed by Researchers" »

Studies have shown that the incidence of dog bites increases during the holiday season. Dogs, like people, are normally more stressed during the holidays resulting in an increase in bites and attacks. The holidays also bring loud children to homes where they are made to interact with dogs that they are unfamiliar with. These unfamiliar guests accompanied by changes in a dog's normal routine can lead to an increase in aggression.

Some suggestions to reduce dog bites during the holidays include crating a dog when your house guests arrive at the home. Although the dog might be confined, this will serve to permit the animal to feel comfortable in a place they are familiar with when the guests invade their space. You can also put your dog on a leash inside an area of your home or gate the dog so that it only has access to one area of the house.

Of course, holiday guests should not hug, chase or scream near a dog. Guests should also refrain from pushing and pulling the animal and picking it up. These can all cause a dog to become afraid and act on its fear. Finally, a holiday guest should never disturb a dog while it is eating. This can result in dog bites, attacks and maulings.

Have a happy and, more importantly, safe holiday season - free of dog bites and animal attacks.

Continue reading "Increase in Dog Bites During the Holiday Season" »