In an effort to save her one-year old daughter from being further mauled by two pit bulls, Jamie Morales picked up a nearby knife and began stabbing the dogs. The incident occurred in their home on the 9600 block of Homebrook in Pico Rivera.
An Unexpected Dog Bite Attack
At 10:30 PM the 3-year-old pit bull, one of the dogs who lived there, ran straight into the kitchen and attacked Ms. Morales’ daughter, Ruby Cervantes. As the mother and grandmother were struggling to break Ruby free from the brutal dog bite, the second pit bull ran in immediately after and joined in on the brutal attack.
“He had her by the leg and I had to get his teeth off of her,” Margaret Morales said. “He bit my hand and my hand’s pretty severely cut open.”
Unable to free her daughter from the terrorizing grip of the pit bulls, Ms. Morales found a nearby knife and did what any mother would do in such a threat of danger. She grabbed a knife and began to stab the dogs.
“I had to stab the dog … I had to,” Jamie Morales said. “It was either him or my daughter and I chose my daughter.”
After stabbing the dogs, one of them died shortly after. The other dog is reported to be put down later this week. The unfortunate occurrence left Ruby with a multitude of bites to her small, adolescent face and body. Ms. Morales and Ruby’s aunt were also injured during the attack.
“Like many others this morning I was horrified and dismayed at the news of the unprovoked attack on a one-year (old) child by a family’s pit bulls … I’d like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and best wishes for a swift recovery for the child and injured members of the family,” said Pico Rivera Mayor, Monica Sanchez.
The Importance of a Dog Bite Lawyer
According to CDC dog bite statistics, more than 4.5 million people report being bitten by dogs each year in the United States. The unfortunate reality is that not all dogs are loving and kind, we have to remember that they’re still animals and can quickly turn to follow their protective instincts at any time. Should this happen to you, or someone you love, it’s important to speak to a knowledgeable dog bite attorney.
Pursuing a Dog Bite Lawsuit
For those who are thinking about continuing with a dog attack lawsuit, be sure to document everything that happened during the accident scene. Doing so will help your knowledgeable lawyer get you the best results possible. While every case is different, below are a few general examples of monetary awards that can be achieved when defending your rights on the attack:
- $100,000: Visible scarring or disfigurement
- $200,000: Permanent disability
- $40,000: Average compensation
Individuals who received compensation with their medical fees included, will need to assure they properly complete payment for any outstanding medical bills. For injuries that are less severe than those mentioned above, potential plaintiffs may pursue their case in small claims court. No matter how severe the injury, we recommend first reviewing your case with our top rated accident attorneys here at Los Angeles City Law.
Unexpected dog attacks are rampant and happen without warning. Our law firm extends its deepest sympathies to this family and anyone who has been a victim of such attacks.
Article by Jesamine De Leon
