Generated by All in One SEO v4.8.9, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Dog Expert Dog bite expert witness | Animal behavior expert witness ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://www.dogexpert.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [Dog bite injury blog | Dog attack news](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-injury-blog/) - [When Stray Dogs Bite: India’s Public Safety Challenge](https://www.dogexpert.com/stray-dogs-bite-india-public-safety/) - India’s streets are home to millions of stray dogs—often called Indies. Current estimates suggest there are over 62 million such dogs in India, according to the Press Trust of India. Not surprisingly, this population poses a major public health concern: serious bite injuries and even fatalities have been occurred, and some of these resulted in widespread - [Police K9 fatal dog attacks](https://www.dogexpert.com/police-k9-fatal-dog-attacks/) - Fatalities resulting from police K-9 deployments are statistically rare. Nonetheless, the incidents that have occurred—and their underlying circumstances—warrant serious legal and operational scrutiny. Courts have long held that K-9s do not constitute “deadly force” under the Fourth Amendment. Yet, as real-world outcomes show, police dogs are capable of inflicting fatal injuries under predictable conditions. Why - [Are inspections of the dog needed in dog bite lawsuits?](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-inspections-dog-bite-lawsuit/) - As a dog behavior expert witness, I am often asked whether it is necessary to inspect the dog involved in a bite case. The answer depends on the specific facts of each case. An inspection may be worthwhile when it can add to—or challenge—evidence already gathered through discovery. For example, if a dog owner testifies that - [Fatal dog bite by Boxers on 52 y.o. lady in South Carolina](https://www.dogexpert.com/boxer-fatal-dog-bite-south-carolina-animal-expert-opinion/) - Fatal dog bites inflicted by boxers are rare occurrences. Nevertheless, the potential for fatal dog attacks by a boxer exists provided the circumstances are present to make a dog bite fatality likely. In this post, I render opinions from the perspective of an animal behavior expert witness who has testified in several high profile dog - [Dog Bite Provocation | Animal Behavior Expert Opinion](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-provocation/) - An issue of contention in many dog bite lawsuits is whether the plaintiff provoked the dog to attack. For example, the defense might argue comparative fault by the plaintiff because the plaintiff provoked the dog to bite. If the trier of fact believes that the dog was provoked, then in some states it could potentially - [Animal behavior perspective on risk factors for dog aggression](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-expert-opinion-risk-factors-dog-aggression/) - Animal behaviorists who serve as expert witnesses in dog bite cases know that in some cases, there may be a need for their expertise to assess the foreseeability of any given incident. Foreseeability is a legal term; its equivalent animal behavior meaning is predictability. Predictability is a concept in animal behavior science; therefore, it is - [Vicious pitbull attacks captured on video in New York](https://www.dogexpert.com/vicious-pitbull-attacks-captured-on-video-in-new-york/) - Deadly and vicious pit bull attacks attacks on people are not uncommon; however, rarely is the incident captured on video by a bystander and then subsequently posted on the internet for the world to view. Thus, my interest peaked when I came across a video showing a man being viciously mauled by two pit bulls - [Dog bite statistics for USPS & State Farm 2021](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-postal-workers-2021/) - Key takeaways National Dog Bite Prevention week happens annually in June. This event is promoted by the USPS and State Farm Insurance. Dog bite attacks represent a serious occupational hazard for USPS delivery workers. A USPS delivery person was killed by a pack of five dogs in Florida in 2022. Homeowners who have prior knowledge - [Horrific near-fatal dog mauling in Texas](https://www.dogexpert.com/horrific-near-fatal-dog-mauling-texas/) - CBS News published a short video about this December 2021 incident in Texas. The video is graphic and disturbing! Watch video - [Partial listing of fatal dog attacks, 2024 - 2025](https://www.dogexpert.com/pit-bull-kills-four-year-old-in-california/) - Oakland California, 53-year-old man mauled by Cane Corso type dogs Three Cane Corso x Neapolitan mastiff-type dogs escaped the backyard of the property of the owner and then dragged the victim back into the backyard, where he was mauled to death. The incident happened on September 1. The victim, 57-year-old Robert Holguin, was living in - [Fatal dog attack by Great Dane dog pack in rural CA](https://www.dogexpert.com/fatal-great-dane-dog-pack-attack-rural-california/) - The inherent dangers of dog packs and the manner in which they can cause a dog-related human fatality are addressed in other sections of this website. Below, I remind the reader of the extreme danger dog packs present to public safety, particularly when they are unsupervised and a large dog like a Great Dane. Great Dane - [German shepherd lawsuit in Virginia settles for $3.2 million](https://www.dogexpert.com/german-shepherd-lawsuit-dog-bite-settlement-virginia/) - The vast majority of dog bite lawsuits in Virginia settle before trial. The reasons why settlements are reached include: the severity of the victim's injuries, the degree of negligence by the defendant (e.g., dog owner or landlord), economic and non-economic damages, pain-and-suffering, lost wages, the plaintiff's demand for damages, the defendant's insurance coverage and human - [Dog bite / Dog scratch Identification](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-dog-scratch-identification/) - 0In dog bite litigation, occasionally there is uncertainty about whether the injury inflicted to a person resulted from a dog bite vs dog scratch. From a legal perspective, a person sustains a dog bite injury when the teeth of a dog puncture or tear the skin of a person or possibly the person's clothing. Injuries - [Wolf hybrid advocate opinion](https://www.dogexpert.com/wolf-hybrids-opinion/) - Below is correspondence I received from a Wolf hybrid advocate, Lori Wynn, CEO of the nonprofit www.guardiansofthewolves.org. Ms. Wynn brought to my attention that the United States Department of Agriculture policy classifies a dog/wolf mix as a "dog", and as such must be treated as such, at least from a from a welfare perspective.((USDA policy - [New Jersey boy survives vicious Rottweiler dog bite attack](https://www.dogexpert.com/new-jersey-boy-lucky-survive-vicious-rottweiler-dog-bite-attack/) - The damage done when a Rottweiler inflicts dog bite injury to a person can be devastating. Given the Rottweiler's size and strength and the behavioral traits currently selected for by certain breeders, it is understandable why Rottweilers have been implicated in many fatal dog attacks. Nonetheless, one must keep levelheaded realizing that not all - [California dog bites fatalities update](https://www.dogexpert.com/california-dog-bites-fatalities-update/) - California dog bites fatalities: summaries for late 2015 maulings Below, I summarize three California dog bites fatalities which happened in late 2015. There are common features in all three instances. Namely, pitbull type dogs were involved in two of the attacks, the victim was elderly in all three attacks, and in two of the - [Siberian Huskies join list of blacklisted dog breeds](https://www.dogexpert.com/siberian-huskies-join-list-blacklisted-dog-breeds/) - Siberian Huskies, a breed of working dog, are generally regarded by professional trainers as being on the hyper side and difficult to train, particularly when they are puppies. Moreover, published papers in the technical literature show that animal behaviorists in their private practices infrequently consult with owners about aggressive behavioral problems in Siberian Huskies. - [Suicide by fatal pit bull dog bite in Michigan?](https://www.dogexpert.com/suicide-fatal-dog-attack-michigan/) - People contemplating suicide have several options to choose from: hanging, drowning, slashing one's wrist or by gunshot. Rarely, if ever however, do people commit suicide by throwing themselves "to-the dogs". However, apparently this was the case for 22-year-old Rebecca Hardy when she was mauled to death by two dogs, a pit bull and pit bull-husky - [Expert opinion on Cane Corso fatal dog attack in New York](https://www.dogexpert.com/cane-corso-dog-bite-fatality-in-new-york/) - A Cane Corso fatal dog attack in New York tragically took the life four-year-old boy in May, 2011. This incident along with other reported severe dog bite attacks by individuals of the Cane Corso breed reinforces the belief that some Cane corsos can be extremely dangerous. In this particular instance, in this Cane Corso fatal dog attack, - [Process server in Texas killed by Labrador retriever led dog pack](https://www.dogexpert.com/process-server-in-texas-killed-by-labrador-retriever-led-dog-pack/) - More people in Texas are killed by dogs than any other state in the United States. In a previous post, I have offered reasons for this which I believe in part may be tied to the culture that exists amongs Texas dog owners, particularly those living in rural areas. Another tragic Texas dog bite fatality happened on - [Standard of care in a California dog bite lawsuit](https://www.dogexpert.com/standard-of-care-dog-bite/) - The standard of care given to a dog is an issue that occasionally arises in dog bite lawsuits. Basically, this is an issue about the care and management an owner or keeper of a dog affords the dog, or lack thereof. It is an issue about how well the dog was controlled. From a legal - [Family members fatally attacked by great Danes](https://www.dogexpert.com/fatal-dog-attack-by-great-danes-animal-behavior-expert-opinion/) - Key takeaway Great Danes, a territorially protective breed by nature, cannot always be trusted to be safe with family members. In certain circumstances some Danes may be motivated to attack and kill people. Compared with most other breeds, great Danes have rarely been implicated in fatal dog attacks on people, nor have Danes been known - [Cane Corsos viciously maul teenager in California](https://www.dogexpert.com/cane-corsos-maul-teenage-california/) - The circumstances are not known about a recent mauling of a teenager in California by a pack Cane Corsos. The incident happened the afternoon of October 30, 2022 in Thousand Oaks, a city on the outskirts of Los Angeles. The victim, a 16-year-old female, was viciously attacked in front yard of her home by either - [Amazon driver killed by German Shepherd & English mastiff](https://www.dogexpert.com/amazon-driver-fatal-dog-attack-expert-opinion/) - Amazon delivery divers making home deliveries to residential customers are at high-risk of being attacked and bitten by a territorial aggressive dog. Despite this danger, those making policies regarding worker safety Amazon - one of the most profitable companies in the world - may not take this risk to the delivery people as seriously as - [Animal behavior science and the inherently dangerous nature of attack trained police K-9s](https://www.dogexpert.com/animal-behavior-science-and-the-inherently-dangerous-nature-of-attack-trained-police-k-9s/) - Presentation by Richard Polsky at the annual meeting the Animal Behavior Society, August 2021 The perspective from animal behavior science is needed to fully understand and explain the behavior of dogs the police use to apprehend criminal suspects. Attack-trained police K-9s are governed by the same principles and findings from animal behavior science that govern - [Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Dog bites & Children](https://www.dogexpert.com/posttraumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd-dog-bites-children/) - Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is frequent consequence of dog bite injury. Studies have shown that approximately 40% of dog bite victims, particularly children, will be afflicted with this kind of psychological injury following a dog bite incident. PTSD is a consequence of a dog bite attack and has been researched in a number of - [Dog bites child on airplane in Arizona: Concerns about about dog bite safety](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bites-child-airplane-arizona-expert-opinion-dog-bite-safety/) - A dog bites child incident a Southwest flight in Arizona raises new questions about dog bite safety. Below, I opine about an incident that happened on a Southwest flight departing from Phoenix, Arizona in February 2018. News stories about the incident were as follows. A six-year-old girl was boarding a plane in Phoenix. She noticed - [Dog bite statistics for postal workers in American cities, 2012](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-for-postal-workers-in-american-cities-2012/) - Letter carriers that work on foot are a common victim of dog attack.The United States Postal Service released 2012 data regarding the frequency of dog bite attacks on letter carriers respective to location in the United States. Los Angeles had the highest occurrence of dog attack on letter carriers in 2012, followed by San Antonio - [Fatal Dog Attack in Canada](https://www.dogexpert.com/four-year-old-boy-victim-of-fatal-dog-attacking-canada/) - Three sled dogs managed to break away from the restraint of being chained and proceeded to maul and kill a four year old boy in the Baffin Islands, Canada, on March 25th, 2010. A tragic incident to say the least, but not dissimilar to the circumstances in which other dog bite fatalities have occurred after a canine has broken - [USPS Dog Bite Statistics for 2019](https://www.dogexpert.com/usps-dog-bite-statistics/) - Dog bite injury inflicted on people in the United States has remained at relatively consistent levels for the last 15 years. a number of surveys have shown that about 4.5 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs annually. A small percentage of these victims are USPS mail carriers. Updated 2021 USPS dog - [Vicious police dog bite attack rips man's throat apart in Ontario, Canada](https://www.dogexpert.com/vicious-police-dog-bite-attack-in-ontario-canada-rips-mans-throat-apart/) - Previously on dogexpert.com, I have written about the inherently dangerous nature of police K-9s and how police dog attacks on criminal suspects usually cause greater bodily injury when compared with dog bite injuries inflicted by nearly all breeds of domestic dog, including the pit bull terrier. On the other hand, unlike pit bulls, police canines - [Bizarre dog bite incident on school bus by a pit bull in Arizona](https://www.dogexpert.com/bizarre-dog-bite-incident-in-phoenix-arizona/) - Findings from animal behavior science indicate that aggressive behavioral responding in dogs is contextual in nature. That is, a dog that possesses aggressive tendencies in one context, may not be aggressive in a dissimilar context. For example, some dogs will become aggressive to veterinary personnel when taken to an animal clinic for treatment; their aggressive - [Intoxicated Victims & Dog Bite Provocation](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-provocation-intoxication/) - Companion dogs have the ability to accurately read nonverbal social and emotional cues from humans. This is a trait that has developed as a result of the domestication process, and one that benefits both man and dog alike. Moreover, normally socialized dogs usually have expectancies in terms of the social cues they are likely to - [Watch vicious pit bull attack inside San Francisco public library](https://www.dogexpert.com/video-of-vicious-pit-bull-attack-on-security-guard-in-san-francisco-public-library/) - Videos of vicious pit bulls attacks on people demonstrate the danger some dogs of the pit bull type present to public safety. Another avoidable incident was captured on video on January 2022 inside the San Francisco Public Library. According to the news story, the pit bull was brought into the library, supposedly by the owner - [Watch video of vicious police K9 attack in Maine](https://www.dogexpert.com/video-of-vicious-police-k9-attack-in-maine/) - Subsequent to the laws which now require police to wear body cams, videos are becoming increasingly common on YouTube showing the vicious attacks by police canines on suspects. Here's another example. This incident led to a $325,000 settlement for the victim in Maine. Elsewhere on this website another video of police K-9 attacks is posted. - [Bite history of a rescue dog must now be disclosed in California](https://www.dogexpert.com/bite-history-of-dog-must-be-disclosed-in-california/) - People occasionally are bitten and attacked by a dog after adoption from an animal shelter or rescue organization. As a dog bite expert witness, I have been involved in a number of lawsuits in which an adopted dog attacked and seriously injured its new owner or a family member shortly after adoption. My experience is - [Dog expert opinion on the danger of pit bulls to a toddler after divorce](https://www.dogexpert.com/expert-opinion-danger-pit-bulls-toddler-divorce/) - As a dog expert, I have been asked to opine about the possible danger a pit bull poses to a child in shared custody following a divorce. Queries like this are understandable. Concern arises because the child may visit the home where a pit bull resides, which often is the home of the ex-spouse. Such - [Dog Expert Witness in Hawaii | $856k award for Rottweiler Dog Bite](https://www.dogexpert.com/500000-punitive-damage-award-in-rottweiler-dog-bite-attack-in-hawaii/) - The outcome of a dog bite case in Hawaii caught my interest, given that I am a practicing dog bite expert witness for attorneys in Hawaii. Below, I share the details of this case with my readers. The case was one of negligence. That is, one of the main issues before the jury was one - [Police dog bite attack on innocent bystander settles for $225,000 in Washington](https://www.dogexpert.com/police-dog-attack-innocent-bystander-settles-225000-washington/) - Police dog bite attacks on innocent bystanders occasionally happen, but the magnitude of the problem remains largely unknown. The reason why innocent bystanders are frequently attacked is not difficult to understand considering the nature of attack trained police dogs. Namely, when these kinds of dogs are deployed in the field by their handlers, their are - [Dog Expert Witness in Animal Behavior for Nebraska Attorneys](https://www.dogexpert.com/summary-judgment-reversed-in-nebraska-dog-bite-lawsuit/) - Dog bite expert witness and animal behavior specialist, Richard H. Polsky, Ph.D. provides commentary on a dog-related injury case in Nebraska overturned by the Nebraska Supreme Court. In the case described below, the victim is not bitten but rather sustained injury when two unrestrained, off-leash dogs charged the victim which caused her to fall and - [Animal Behavior / Dog Bite Expert Witness / New York](https://www.dogexpert.com/new-york-dog-bite-fatalities-update/) - Dog bite expert witness and animal behavior specialist, Richard Polsky, Ph.D. welcomes inquiries from New York attorneys seeking dog bite expert witness opinion and consultation. Expert services rendered by Dr. Polsky include report writing, document review, affidavits and deposition testimony. Dr. Polsky resides in California. Most of his expert witness work can be done remotely. - [Redirected aggression dog bite fatality in Arizona kills two-year-old boy](https://www.dogexpert.com/redirected-aggression-dog-bite-fatality-in-arizona-kills-two-year-old-boy/) - Redirected aggression in dogs to humans occasionally happens. The occurrence of this kind of aggression may happen when a person attempts to stop a fight between two dogs, or in some way interferes with a dog who is in an aroused, motivated state. When a dog redirects its aggression to a human, it may do so - [Doberman kills toddler in Michigan while feeding the dog a biscuit](https://www.dogexpert.com/criminal-prosecution-fatal-dog-bite-doberman-michigan/) - In most instances of adoption of a dog from an animal shelter, most Ph.D. dog bite experts hold the opinion that properly conducted behavioral testing, although questionable, may still be useful to ensure that a dog can be safely adopted into a household. From my perspective in animal behavior, it is likely that insufficient scrutiny - [Dog Bite Mauling | Fatal dog attack on 10-year-old boy in South Carolina](https://www.dogexpert.com/south-carolina-dog-mauling/) - The South Carolina Court of Appeals overturned the conviction of Bentley Collins in the dog bite mauling death of a 10-year-old Matthew Davis. In February 2012, Collins was convicted and sentenced to five years in prison. He was convicted for involuntary manslaughter and owning dangerous dogs. Subsequently, the Supreme Court of South Carolina overturned the - [What counts as a dog bite in California?](https://www.dogexpert.com/what-counts-as-a-dog-bite-in-california/) - Imagine the scenario where German shepherd escapes from the confines of its house in California runs into the yard and seizes the leg of a workman on a ladder. The workmen falls from the ladder and injures himself, but he sustains no breakage of the skin as result of the dog’s mouth clamping his leg - [Watch video of police K9 attack in Florida](https://www.dogexpert.com/watch-video-of-police-k-9-attack-in-florida/) - A video of police K9 attack on an suspect who had already surrendered exemplifies the difficulty handlers have in controlling their K9s during suspect apprehension. The incident, which happened in Florida, started shortly after the K9 was removed from the patrol car. The K9 was not leashed, and in the absence of a command from - [Cane Corso dog-aggression causes horrifying knock-down injury](https://www.dogexpert.com/cane-corso-aggression/) - Accounts describing the potentially dangerous nature of the Cane corso are usually about aggression directed towards humans and not other dogs. Nonetheless, a Cane corso and other large breeds with strong tendencies to attack other dogs may likewise pose considerable danger to humans, particularly in a public setting. For example, outside of a home setting, - [Man Loses Scalp in New Mexico Dog Bite Attack](https://www.dogexpert.com/man-loses-scalp-in-new-mexico-dog-bite-attack/) - Cyclists training in remote areas may encounter packs of dogs, and they need to be aware of the dangers of dog bite attack. An example of the danger cyclists face happened in Valencia County, New Mexico in April, 2012. In this incident, 3 dogs attacked an endurance cyclist on his bike during a training session. - [Rottweiler aggression & Stand Your Ground in Montana](https://www.dogexpert.com/rottweiler-aggression-stand-your-ground-montana/) - Below, I report a case in which the controversial Stand-Your-Ground defense was used in the defense of 80-year-old Loyal Babb. Babb intentionally shot and killed his neighbor’s 10-year-old male, neutered Rottweiler, Bo, allegedly in self-defense. The Incident happened in Lincoln, Montana in October 2016. Lincoln is a small, rural unincorporated town in western Montana, with - [Dog bite statistics in England: Hospital admissions increase in 2011](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-hospital-admission/) - Dog bite hospital admissions as a result of serious dog bite attack increased in England 5% between April 2011 and May 2012. During this 12 month span, 6130 people required hospitalization compared with 6450 people in 2010-2011. Nearly 20% of the dog bite victims were children under age of 10. Fifty percent of children under - [Fatal dog attack by bull mastiff on 13-year-old boy in New Jersey](https://www.dogexpert.com/fatal-dog-attack-bull-mastiff-13-year-old-boy-new-jersey/) - Bull mastiffs have inflicted fatal dog bites to people at relatively high rates in the last five years. I have reported five fatal dog attacks by bull mastiffs: a fatal dog attack in Slavonia in 2010, a 2012 fatality in Oklahoma, another in Arkansas in 2013, another in Texas in 2014, and yet another in Ohio in - [Recent dog bite hospital and emergency room statistics in Arizona](https://www.dogexpert.com/recent-dog-bite-hospital-emergency-room-statistics-arizona/) - The Department of Health Services in Arizona released recent dog bite statistics, in March, 2014. The director of that department in Arizona, William Humble, reported that victims treated for severe dog bite injury has risen dramatically. For example: The number of hospitalizations has more than doubled in the last five years; A 139% increase in - [DNA Fails to Identify Stray Dogs Involved in Texas Fatal Dog Attack](https://www.dogexpert.com/texas-fatal-dog-attack/) - DNA analysis is the standard in canine forensics when the identity of dogs involved in a fatal dog attack is uncertain. DNA analysis is nearly 100% accurate provided the forensic evidence (blood,hair, saliva,tissue,clothing) is not contaminated during collection. However, this method did not prove useful in successfully identifying the suspect dogs in a recent Texas fatal dog attack. - [Canine handler abusing his K9 partner shown in disturbing video](https://www.dogexpert.com/shocking-video-of-canine-handler-abusing-his-k9-partner/) - As a police K9 bite expert, I am knowledgeable of the various training techniques used to attack-train a police K9. I also have become familiar with and have testified about the nature of the interactions K-9 handlers have with her K-9 partners, usually a Belgian malinois. Videos depicting police K9 attacks are usually beneficial evidence - [Animal behavior & assumption of risk involving a St. Bernard](https://www.dogexpert.com/animal-behavior-assumption-risk-st-bernard/) - In dog bite lawsuits the doctrine of assumption of risk may be used to limit the liability of the defendant. The doctrine states that the plaintiff assumes the risk of being bitten if he/she voluntarily exposes themselves to circumstances where there is a risk of being bitten. For example in Gomes vs. Byrne (1959) 51 - [Vicious attack by French mastiff on 3 y.o. boy in England](https://www.dogexpert.com/vicious-dog-bite-attack-by-french-mastiff-on-3-y-o-in-england/) - The French mastiff (Dogue De Bordeaux) is a huge dog, typical of all mastiff-type dogs. Individuals can weigh as much as 175 lbs. and stand about 28 inches at the shoulders. Coupled their large size and genetic endowment (developed for protection like most other mastiff breeds) it is somewhat surprising that there has not been more news stories about - [Animal shelter dog bite settlement in Nevada](https://www.dogexpert.com/animal-shelter-dog-bite-settlement/) - Animal shelters might get sued if a dog housed at their shelter bites a person. Given that employees, volunteers and visitors have frequent interaction dogs in the setting of an animal shelter, it becomes foreseeable that a dog might viciously attack and bite a person during the course of interaction with people. Below, I summarize - [Pit bull attacks 3 y.o in Jonesboro, AK when mother lies on adoption papers](https://www.dogexpert.com/pit-bull-attacks-3-y-o-in-jonesboro-ak-after-mother-lies-on-adoption-papers/) - When one adopts a pit bull type dog from an animal shelter due diligence is often necessary, particularly because the dog's distant behavioral history may not be known. Obviously, this becomes important if the adopted dog has a history of aggressive behavior towards people or other animals. In lieu of the behavioral history, animal shelters - [DNA to identify dogs in fatal dog attack in California](https://www.dogexpert.com/dna-fatal-dog-attack-california/) - As an animal behaviorist who has testified in criminal proceedings as an expert witness regarding fatal dog attacks, I read with great sadness of the recent fatal dog attack in Sherman Oaks, California which took the life of a three-year-old infant girl. She was taken to the hospital where she died shortly thereafter. The incident - [Canine expert witness opinion on aggression in a Bernese Mt. Dog](https://www.dogexpert.com/canine-expert-witness/) - Q. Dr. Polsky: I understand that you are a canine expert witness on dog bites. I am contacting you because my parents recently adopted an 18-month-old male Bernese Mountain dog from a rescue. My parents are very experienced with animal training having had previous dogs and other animals. Baxter has been in their home for - [Off-duty police K-9 viciously attacks canine handler in New Jersey](https://www.dogexpert.com/duty-police-k-9-viciously-attacks-canine-partner-new-jersey/) - Sufficient evidence has been amassed to suggest that police canines deployed in the field by their handlers may be unpredictable and problematic at times. Evidence which supports this belief is reviewed elsewhere on this website. For example, particularly significant is unprovoked attacks by police canines on innocent bystanders. Another incident indicating the unpredictable nature of - [Police dog trainer in North Carolina calls police K-9 handlers stupid](https://www.dogexpert.com/police-dog-trainer-north-carolina-calls-police-k-9-handlers-stupid/) - Police canines supposedly possess superior discrimination abilities which enables them to correctly identify suspects that need apprehension. And in many instances, since the handler is nearby, accurate discrimination is possible: the handlers can usually direct the dog the appropriate person. Nonetheless, mistakes happen. For example, in one lawsuit the handler attached a 30 foot long - [Pit bulls seized from fighting rings in CA. not necessarily vicious](https://www.dogexpert.com/pit-bulls-fighting-rings-not-vicious/) - Any dog in California seized from an illegal fighting ring in California will no longer be considered inherently vicious according to recently enacted legislation. A welcomed new law, California Assembly Bill #1825, was approved and signed into legislation by Gov. Jerry Brown on July 25, 2016. The law now excludes dogs seized from fighting rings, mostly all pit bulls, from automatically - [CA verdict of $247K for plaintiff startled by off-leash dog](https://www.dogexpert.com/ca-verdict-of-247k-for-plaintiff-startled-by-off-leash-dog/) - Dog owners can liable for the injuries their off-leash dog inflicts onto a person even if the dog remains on the property and even if the dog does not bite or knock down a person. This was the verdict a Los Angeles County jury rendered in an incident in which a retired 69-year-old lady fell - [Dog attack kills toddler in Hunt County,Texas](https://www.dogexpert.com/fatal-dog-attack-kills-toddler-in-texas/) - Texas remains one of the American states where fatal dog attacks happen at disproportionately high rates. Previously, I provided expert commentary on the high rate of fatal dog attacks in Texas. Another tragic fatal dog bite incident occurred about June 29, 2020, in Hunt County, Texas. The victim, in this case, was a two-year-old toddler. - [French bulldog human-directed aggression](https://www.dogexpert.com/french-bulldog-human-directed-aggression/) - The French bulldog has established itself is one of the most popular companion dogs in the United States. The Frenchie has become increasingly popular in part because of it's small size and a supposedly docile temperament. In 2019, the French bulldog ranked 4th behind Labrador retrievers, German shepherds and Golden retrievers - [City of Winnipeg terrorized by a pack of American Bulldogs](https://www.dogexpert.com/winnipeg-terrorized-by-a-pack-of-american-bulldogs/) - A Winnipeg radio station sought the expert opinion of Dr. Polsky concerning an incident in which three people were viciously attacked by a pack of American bulldogs on February 29, 2020. This incident, which was initially was mistaken for a fight between people, happened in the early morning hours in a parking lot of a - [Fatal dog attack by unrestrained German Shepherd mix in rural Alabama](https://www.dogexpert.com/fatal-dog-attack-unrestrained-german-shepherd-4-y-o-rural-alabama/) - Play behavior by a child in the presence of some dogs increases the likelihood of dog bite attack. This factor, frequently noted by animal behaviorists, happens because of the jerky, haphazard and fast movements that often characterizes a child's play, coupled with high pitched vocalizations often heard a during a child's play. The motivation underlying - [Labrador retriever viciously bites eight-year-old in face in Florida](https://www.dogexpert.com/labrador-retriever-viciously-attacks-eight-year-old-girl-face-florida/) - Labrador retrievers have long had the reputation of being well-tempered, highly trainable, trustworthy, and a breed suitable for families with children. News reports are rare about a Labrador retriever inflicting serious dog bite injury to a child. There are exceptions, however. For example, in April 2014 in Port Richie, Florida, a chocolate lab viciously attacked - [Vicious and near-fatal dog attack by Italian mastiffs in Virginia](https://www.dogexpert.com/near-fatal-dog-attack-italian-mastiff-virginia/) - The Italian mastiff, better known as the Cane Corso, first came to the attention of many when a pair of Cane Corsos fatally attacked a jogger in Michigan in 2014. Like most other mastiffs, Cane Corsos are huge (a fully developed adult male weighs about 160 lbs.). The breed was initially developed for guarding and protection. Cane Corsos have been implicated in several other fatal dog - [Maryland dog bite expert witness | Fatal dog bite](https://www.dogexpert.com/87-year-old-man-maryland-first-dog-bite-fatality-victim-2015/) - The elderly and the very young are killed by dogs more frequently when compared with other age groups in the United States, according to dog bite expert witness Richard Polsky, Ph.D. This finding in part can be accounted because individuals in these age groups are unable to adequately defend themselves against powerful dogs with aggressive - [Murder charges filed against owner of pit bulls in California dog bite fatality](https://www.dogexpert.com/murder-charges-filed-in-california-dog-bite-fatality/) - Dog packs roaming in remote areas pose a serious dog bite threat to people and other animals in communities adjacent to these areas. This is well known by animal control agencies, and the danger has been documented by animal behaviorists in the scientific literature. Nonetheless, it seems that animal control agencies are at a loss - [Fatal Dog Attack on Toddler in Magnolia,Texas](https://www.dogexpert.com/fatal-dog-attack-by-pit-bull-in-magnoliatexas/) - More fatal dog attacks occur in Texas than in any other state in the USA. There are a number of reasons to account for the high rate in Texas, some of which include the resistance of Texas politicians to enact laws which restrict or prohibit dangerous breeds, and because Texas is not a strict liability - [Texas records first dog bite fatality in USA for 2014](https://www.dogexpert.com/texas-records-first-dog-bite-fatality-usa-2014/) - Texas, the state with more dog bite fatalities in the USA than any other, recorded the first reported bite fatality in the USA on January 4, 2014. The fact that the incident happened in Texas is not surprising and even predictable, given that sociocultural factors in Texas probably act to increase the likelihood of fatal - [Siberian husky dog bite to 10 y.o. at school bus stop in California](https://www.dogexpert.com/siberian-husky-dog-bite-10-y-o-school-bus-stop-california/) - One would suspect that an unlikely place for a dog bite attack to happen is a school bus stop. Countless number of parents send their children to school on the school bus, and all probably assume that the child will be in no great danger. Few parents would have serious concerns that their child would - [Additional Texas dog bite fatalities in 2015](https://www.dogexpert.com/additional-texas-dog-bite-fatalities-in-2015/) - Previously I listed reasons why Texas leads the nation with regard to the number of people killed annually by dogs. One may be the culture of Texas, particularly in rural areas where many people keep dogs for protection. In this posting, I report two additional fatalities in Texas that happened in 2015. In the first instance, two - [Cane Corso fatal dog attack in Italy – Stripping off of clothing](https://www.dogexpert.com/cane-corso-fatal-dog-attack-italy/) - Cane corso fatal dog attacks on people in the United States happen at disproportionately high rates. I have reviewed some of these instances in previous posts on this website. Not surprisingly, given the nature of some Cane Corsos, fatal dog attacks outside the USA by Cane Corsos have likewise happened. Some individuals within the breed possess strong - [Pit bull kills infant with redirected aggression in Indiana](https://www.dogexpert.com/pit-bull-kills-infant-redirected-aggression/) - Another tragic dog bite fatality happened in January 2020 in Lafayette, Indiana. In this instance the victim, a 26-day-old infant, was likely killed because of the dog's redirected aggression. Circumstances are unclear about how the incident happened but according to People magazine, the circumstances were as follows: The mother the infant was home at the - [Dog Bite Safety | Expert opinion: How to avoid being killed by a pack of dogs](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-safety-fatal-dog-attack-pack-daschunds-ok/) - Fifty-two-year-old Tracy Garcia was outside her home when she was killed by a pack of dogs, several being possibly part daschunds mixes in Ardmore, Oklahoma on May 10, 2018. The dogs belonged to a neighbor. Three females and four male were involved. All were under 40 pounds and ranged in age from about 1 to - [$1.1 million in record settlement in bull mastiff dog bite attack in Illinois](https://www.dogexpert.com/1-1-million-record-settlement-serious-bull-mastiff-dog-bite-attack-illinois/) - The largest settlement for a dog bite injury case on record in Illinois was recently obtained by the plaintiff from American Family Insurance Company. American Family, a major underwriter of homeowner policies in the Western United States, settled the case if for $1.12 million in July 2013. The lawsuit stems from a vicious attack by - [Family pit bulls attack and kill six-year-old boy in Florida](https://www.dogexpert.com/family-pit-bulls-attack-kill-six-year-old-boy-florida/) - The majority of people in United States killed by pit bulls are unfamiliar with the dog. Exceptions do occur, however. For example, in 2011 a 32-year-old pregnant woman was killed by a family pit bull in Pacifica, California. And in August 2014 in Ohio, a 59-year-old woman was the victim of a fatal dog attack - [Expert opinion on dog bite law in California & Arizona](https://www.dogexpert.com/expert-opinion-dog-bites-california-arizona/) - In this post, I will discuss the value of using expert opinion from an animal behaviorist in dog bite litigation, specifically focusing on the states of Arizona and California. I choose these two states because they are states which have "strict liability" laws for dog bites. And it is in strict liability states, - [Horrific Bull Mastiff Fatal Dog Attack in Texas](https://www.dogexpert.com/bull-mastiff-fatal-dog-attack/) - The most recent fatal dog attack in Texas involving a Bull mastiff happened in Killeen, Texas in March, 2014. In this horrific incident, three people, ages 18, 8, and 2 years, were walking past the property where the dog resided. The dog escaped from the property through an open garage door, and initially attacked an - [Pitbull debate resurfaces in Mississippi](https://www.dogexpert.com/recent-pit-bull-attacks-mississippi-rekindle-pit-bull-debate/) - Simpson County Mississippi is in the midst of heated debate regarding whether the county should ban the ownership orthe keeping a pit bulls. This debate was rekindled in April, 2014 after a second mauling by pit bull within a two-week period. In the most recent attack, a four-year-old girl was bitten repeatedly in the face - [Dog bite frequency rate increases dramatically in England](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-frequency-rate-increases-dramatically-in-england/) - For the most part, dog bite epidemiological statistics are remarkably similar between Western countries, such as United States Canada Australia, England, and Belgium. A large literature has been amassed in last 25 years, and basic findings have repeatedly shown that most dog bite victims are children, boys rather than girls, most incidences occur during - [Dog Whisperer sued for negligence in California in dog bite attack](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-whisperer-sued-for-negligence-in-california-in-dog-bite-attack/) - Neither myself nor other animal behavior specialists with advanced academic training in animal behavior are big fans of the Dog Whisperer, Cesar Milan. And Milan, despite his total lack of credentials, catapulted to the top of the dog world over a decade ago, and since then he has remained a popular television personality. Too many dog - [Does dog bite assumption of risk apply when bull terriers attack pet sitter in Wisconsin?](https://www.dogexpert.com/does-dog-bite-assumption-risk-apply-pet-sitter-wisconsin/) - In personal injury lawsuits, the fireman's rule states that an individual may be barred from recovery because of the inherent risks of certain occupation. Thus, if a veterinarian is bitten in the course of treating a sick animal, and a lawsuit is filed, the chance that the veterinarian will win the lawsuit lessen substantially. This - [Pit bull attack on 7 year-old boy settles for $325,000 in Santa Monica, CA.](https://www.dogexpert.com/santa-monica-city-settles-lawsuit-for-325000-stemming-from-dog-mauling-by-pit-bull-on-seven-year-old-boy/) - A pit bull named Monster, following its escape from a dog run at Memorial Park in Santa Monica,California mauled a seven-year-old boy in October, 2010. The boy sustained serious dog bite injury to the head, neck, shoulders and back, and may have suffered brain injury. Not surprisingly, a lawsuit based on negligence was brought against the City of - [Dog bites off part of inmate's nose at prison in Columbus, Ohio](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bites-off-part-of-inmates-nose-at-prison-in-columbus-ohio/) - An inmate at a prison in Columbus, Ohio lost part of this nose after being attacked by a dog brought into the prison for the purposes of inmate rehabilitation. The incident happened on April 18, 2013. News reports indicated that the prisoner was playing handball, and he tripped and fell on the dog, which - [Man bites dog in Iowa](https://www.dogexpert.com/man-bites-dog-in-iowa/) - A Labrador retriever escaped from its yard and attacked Caren Henry, walking her dog in Madrid, Iowa in April, 2013. A dog bite incident like this is not in itself out of the ordinary, even in small towns like Madrid, Iowa. However, what was unusual about this particular incident was the manner in which the - [Few defenses available to counter Iowa dog bite statute](https://www.dogexpert.com/defenses-available-counter-iowa-dog-bite-statute/) - An animal behavior perspective may be of limited use when strict liability statutes are employed in dog bite lawsuits. Statutory strict liability makes an owner strictly liable for victim’s damages even in the absence of an owner’s knowledge about the dog’s dangerous propensities or in the absence of their negligence. Therefore, typical animal behavior - [Animal behavior perspective on fatal dog attack in Texas](https://www.dogexpert.com/animal-behavior-perspective-fatal-dog-bite-83-year-old-woman-texas/) - Research in animal behavior by PhD trained animal behaviorists studying dog behavior have demonstrated the reliability and consistency of aggressive like behaviorof dogs in specified contexts. For example, in one study, researchers found relatively high consistency in a dog's aggressive reactions (both offensive and defensive in kind) to the approach of a friendly and threatening person - [Recent fatal dog attack statistics in the United States](https://www.dogexpert.com/recent-fatal-dog-attack-statistics/) - Approximately 30-40 fatal dog attacks on people are recorded each year in the United States. Most animal behavior experts believe that the majority of these instances are highly preventable. This belief was again reiterated that in a recent paper that now stands as the most definitive research about recent fatal dog attack statistics in the United - [Fila Brasileiro fatal dog attack in Canada?](https://www.dogexpert.com/fila-brasileiro-fatal-dog-attack-in-canada/) - It is rare that one reads about a Fila Brasileiro fatal dog attack. The likely reason is simple: the breed is not that popular. Unlike other more popular docile mastiff breeds, such as the old English mastiff, many potential owners probably shy away from Fila Brasileiro ownership because of reputation the breed has for its - [Vicious pit bull mauling captured on video in California](https://www.dogexpert.com/animal-behavior-expert-opinion-vicious-pit-bull-mauling-captured-video-california/) - The owner of two adults pit bulls will likely face criminal charges in California as a result of her her dogs brutally attacking an elderly man and his Jack Russell Terrier on Catalina Island, California on April 21, 2017. Catalina Island is located about 10 miles off the Southern California coastline. Residents live full time on Catalina Island but - [Video of police dog attack on innocent bystander](https://www.dogexpert.com/police-dog-bite-expert/) - Most plaintiff attorneys involved in police dog bite lawsuits eventually come to learn about the potentially dangerous nature of police service dogs used for suspect apprehension. In other posts on this website, I have written about the dangerous nature of these kind of dogs. Rarely however has a video surfaced on the Internet - [Did coughing trigger a predatory fatal dog attack in California?](https://www.dogexpert.com/coughing-trigger-predatory-fatal-dog-attack-in-california/) - The circumstances surrounding a fatal dog attack in California in April, 2016 on a three-day-old infant suggests that the dog’s predatory inclinations may have been at work. In this fatal dog attack, the eighth such occurrence in the United States in 2016 at the time of this writing, the circumstances present were not that unusual: namely, the - [Fatal dog attack in Arkansas by pack of pit bulls](https://www.dogexpert.com/arkansas-dog-bite-expert/) - Most animal behaviorists would probably agree that a pack of dogs pose greater risk to public safety than a single dog, particularly if these dogs were untrained, not neutered, poorly socialized, poorly supervised, inadequately contained on the property where they were kept, and possessed a breed composition suggesting that they were pit bull type dogs. This - [Mississippi dog bite expert opinion about police dog bite at MS. St. football game](https://www.dogexpert.com/police-dog-bites-bystander-at-mississippi-state-football-game/) - In this post, Dr. Richard Polsky Ph.D., a Mississippi dog bite expert, offers expert opinion about a dog bite inflicted to an innocent bystander by a police dog at a crowded LSU-Mississippi State football game on October 3, 2015. This dog bite incident involved a professional photographer at the game in a work capacity. The photographer was attacked and bitten - [Movement on bicycle possible trigger to dog bite attack on 10-year-old girl in Kentucky](https://www.dogexpert.com/movement-on-bicycle-possible-trigger-to-dog-bite-attack-on-10-year-old-girl-in-kentucky/) - The predatory aggressive behavior of dogs is frequently triggered by movement of children on skateboards, roller blades, and bicycles. Predatory aggressive behavior is probably more common in dogs developed for herdings, such as border collies and Australian shepherds, but it can happen in other breeds. A case in point is a 10-year-old girl who was - [Fatal dog attack by pit bull on 56-year-old lady in wheelchair in Maryland](https://www.dogexpert.com/fatal-dog-attack-pit-bull-56-year-old-lady-wheelchair-maryland/) - Statistics compiled from dog bite instances have consistently shown that Pit bulls are the type of dog disproportionately involved in most fatal dog attacks on people in the United States. Further, dog bite statistics clearly show that people who are least able to defend themselves, such as the young or elderly, are usually the victims - [Fatal dog attack by Bull mastiff on 75-year-old lady in Arkansas](https://www.dogexpert.com/fatal-dog-attack-by-bull-mastiff-on-75-year-old-lady-in-arkansas/) - Bull mastiffs have been implicated in several fatal dog attacks in recent years, one which included a fatal dog attack on a 10-year-old boy in Oklahoma. Fatal dog attacks involving bull mastiffs should not come as a great surprise given the increased popularity of keeping this breed as a companion guard dog, and the inability - [Dog bite mauling in Hertford, NC takes the life of 10-month-old boy](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-mauling-in-hertford-nc-takes-the-life-of-10-month-old-boy/) - Ten-month-old James Hudson was killed in his home by the family dog on September 9 , 2012 in Hertford, North Carolina. The victim's grandmother was babysitting this child, and happened to be in the same room with other children when the attack happened. The grandfather was in another part of the house and heard commotion. - [Georgia dog bite fatality kills 23-year-old college student in DeKalb](https://www.dogexpert.com/georgia-dog-bite-fatality-kills-23-year-old-college-student-in-dekalb/) - Georgia dog bite fatality victim, Rebecca Carey, described as a person with an extreme devotion to animals, may have been killed by some of the rescue dogs she took into her home. At the time of her death, there were five dogs present, two pit bull type dogs, two Presas (a Spanish mastiff, the kind - [Bull Mastiff Fatal Dog Attack in Oklahoma](https://www.dogexpert.com/fatal-dog-bite-by-bull-mastiff-in-oklahoma/) - The Bullmastiff is a large powerful breed developed originally from a cross between the old English Mastiff and the old English bulldog. The breed was developed for guarding purposes. Males are about 26 inches in height at the withers and can weigh as much 140 pounds. Females are slightly smaller, standing about 25 inches - [Fatal dog bite attack in Georgia: Missing Boy Found Mauled to Death](https://www.dogexpert.com/fatal-dog-bite-attack-georgia/) - Four-year-old, Brayton Carson, reported missing by his mother in the early evening on September 06, 2012, was found dead several hours later in high grass about 90 feet from his home. Carson was found by a search team in Seminol County, located in southwest Georgia. He was found mauled and the case appeared to be - [What caused North Carolina fatal dog attack on an elderly lady?](https://www.dogexpert.com/what-caused-north-carolina-fatal-dog-attack-elderly-lady/) - The reasons why some fatal dog bite attacks happen are often not clear. One such example comes from a recent North Carolina fatal dog attack that happened in March, 2016 in South Charlotte, North Carolina. In this occurrence, an 86-year-old woman visiting her relatives was mauled to death by a pair of family pit bulls. What is known about - [South Carolina Fatal Dog Attack: The Danger of Dog Packs](https://www.dogexpert.com/fatal-dog-bite-by-pack-pit-bulls-south-carolina/) - Eighty year-old Carlton Freeman, a bilateral amputee at the knees, was riding his motorized wheelchair on May 8, 2013 when he was brutally attacked and mauled by four pit bull type dogs in Harleysville, South Carolina. Family members who witnessed the attack intervened as Carlton was pulled from his wheelchair and dragged into the nearby - [Fatal dog attack by pack a stray dogs in Dallas, Texas](https://www.dogexpert.com/fatal-dog-attack-by-pack-a-stray-dogs-in-dallas-texas/) - A 52-year-old lady was killed in the southern section of Dallas Texas on May 2, 2016 by a pack of stray dogs. The family of the victim is demanding $5 million to settle the case against the city of Dallas. The basis for their lawsuit: the victim's family believe the city knew about the stray dog problem - [Family pit bull with no aggressive history kills 59-year-old woman in Ohio](https://www.dogexpert.com/family-pit-bull-known-aggressive-history-kills-59-year-old-lady-ohio/) - A supposedly non-aggressive, family pit bull mix named Polo, killed a 59-year-old woman in Madison Twp. Ohio in August 2014. The daughter of the victim, owner of the dog, states that Polo got on well with the victim's grand daughter, a two-year-old who was with the victim at the time of this fatal dog attack. - [National dog bite prevention week in 2012 starts May 20](https://www.dogexpert.com/national-dog-bite-prevention-week-may-20-may-26/) - Dog bite prevention has a special week of its own set aside annually in United States: In 2013 the dates are May 20 - May 26. This special week is promoted largely through the efforts of such organizations as the United States Postal Service, State Farm insurance company, and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Much has - [Fatal dog bite attack by bull mastiff kills 57-year-old lady in Ohio](https://www.dogexpert.com/fatal-dog-bite-attack-ohio-takes-life-57-year-old-lady/) - Police say that had received numerous complaints about the two dogs that killed a 57-year-old lady on February 7, 2014 in Dayton, Ohio. The mauled body of the victim was found on the sidewalk outside her home. When police arrived at the scene to investigate, the two dogs involved charge them, and the dogs were then - [Rottweiler attack nets $250K for dog bite victim in Utah](https://www.dogexpert.com/rottweiler-mauling-nets-250k-dog-bite-victim-utah/) - Owners usually take responsibility for the damages to her dog causes to a person. However, apparently this was not the case in a dog bite incident in which a women was mauled by a Rottweiler when visiting the home of her friends. The incident happened when the Rottweiler ran from one part of the house - [Jury awards $150K for Rottweiler attack on veterinary technician in Virginia](https://www.dogexpert.com/jury-awards-150k-rottweiler-attack-veterinary-technician-florida/) - Rottweiler dog bite expert, Richard Polsky, PhD, describes a case in which a jury in Virginia awarded $150K to a veterinary technician as a result of a Rottweiler attack that caused injuries to her mouth. The victim required multiple surgeries. The verdict was rendered in July 2014. The incident occurred in March 2011. The fact - [Pit bull dog bite on deaf-mute woman in Kentucky](https://www.dogexpert.com/pit-bull-dog-bite-on-deaf-mute-woman-in-kentucky/) - Dog bite victims can often summon help quickly when a dog starts attacking them. In some cases, however, even if people are close by to assist, they may remain unaware of the attack taking place, because of the victim’s disability. Such may have been the case for a death-mute woman in Cloverport, Kentucky in August, 2012. - [Elderey Florida woman seriously injured in pit bull dog bite attack](https://www.dogexpert.com/89-year-old-florida-woman-seriously-injured-in-pit-bull-dog-bite-attack/) - An 89-year-old lady in Geneva, Seminole County Florida, was working in her backyard when she was was attacked by her neighbor's pit bull on May 23, 2013. The pit bull jumped the fence separating the properties. The victim was taken to the hospital and released after sustaining puncture wounds on both legs, serious lacerations to - [Pit Bull Mauling in Chicago: Early Morning Jog Turns Gruesome](https://www.dogexpert.com/pit-bulls-brutally-maul-jogger-on-lake-michigan-shore-in-chicago/) - A 62 year old man jogging on the Lake Michigan shore in Chicago in the early morning was brutally mauled by two pit bull terriers on January 2nd, 2012. The victim, Joseph Finley, stated that although he was uncertain of the dog's intent when he first encountered them, he nevertheless chose to run in the opposite direction, and - [Fatal dog bite attack by pack of dogs in Georgia](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-pack-fatally-kills-georgia-toddler/) - An integrated group of pit bull type dogs living in a household may pose the risk of engaging in a fatal dog bite attack to household residents. This is especially true if the dogs in question lacked early socialization and obedience training, and where kept in a manner conducive to group facilitation of behavior between - [Jack Russell terrier initiates predatory attack on newborn in bassinet in Virginia](https://www.dogexpert.com/jack-russell-terrier-initiates-predatory-attack-newborn-bassinet/) - Those familiar with the Jack Russell Terriers are aware of the breed's aggressive tenacity, and its inclination to attack prey objects, such as squirrels, rats, possums. In some cases, a Jack Russell's predatory inclinations may also generalize to small size humans. For example, small children, particularly infants, might vocalize and this could trigger a predatory attack. Apparently - [Four-year-old girl mauled by family dog in Las Cruces,New Mexico](https://www.dogexpert.com/four-year-old-girl-mauled-by-family-dog-in-las-crucesnew-mexico-2/) - A 4 year-old girl left unattended in a camping trailer, was bitten severely in the face as her father was busy checking for air in the tires in preparation for a trip on September 13, 2012 in Las Cruces New Mexico. The dog, and Australian blue healer, apparently was alone in the trailer and sometime - [Fatal dog bite attack by chained Rottweiler on toddler in Florida](https://www.dogexpert.com/fatal-dog-bite-attack-by-a-rottweiler-on-a-toddler-in-florida/) - A two-year-old was mauled and killed by a Rottweiler in Jacksonville, Florida in March 2013. According to local news, the Rottweiler was chained to a pole in a neighbor's front yard, and the toddler wandered across the street as his mother was unloading groceries from her car. Other dog bite fatalities and serious dog bite - [Dog bite fatalities in California at record levels in 2013](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-fatalities-in-california-at-record-high-levels-for-2013/) - Dog bite fatalities in California are at record high levels through June 2013. Four people have been killed in California because of dog bite injury from January-June 2013. In April, the 38-year-old lady in Stockton, California was found dead in a neighbor's driveway after being attacked by pit bull owned by the neighbor. In - [California dog bite fatality to two-year-old visiting grandmother](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-pack-fatally-kills-two-year-old-visiting-grandmom-in-colton-california/) - More people sustain serious dog bite injury and dogs kill more people in California and Texas than in any state in the United States. Through September, 2013, there have been at least four dog bite fatalities in California. The most recent incident took the life of a two-year-old boy in Colton, California. He was - [Siberian Husky fatal dog attack on infant in Minnesota and Alberta, Canada](https://www.dogexpert.com/siberian-huskies-fatally-attacked-infants-minnesota-alberta-canada/) - Siberian Huskies have not been implicated in many fatal dog attacks on humans relative to other breeds known to kill people. Since 2006 in the United States approximately 6 people have been killed by "husky" type dogs. This compares with well over 100 fatalities inflicted by a pit bulls and Rottweilers combined. Two recent instances in - [Fatal dog attacks in the USA: Forecast for 2015](https://www.dogexpert.com/fatal-dog-attacks-usa-forecast-2015/) - Epidemiological studies indicate that about 30-40 people killed by dogs annually United States and that the victims are usually those who possess limited abilities to defend themselves against a powerful, aggressive dog. Victims are usually the very young, elderly people, or those who are disabled. Pit bull type dogs have been implicated in a - [Predation likely motive behind fatal dog attack in Texas](https://www.dogexpert.com/predatory-trigger-to-fatal-dog-attack-in-texas/) - Previously, I've noted the occurrence of fatal dog attacks on young children on swings. This probably happens, in part, because a child on a swing is in motion and this kind of movement is a stimulus that can easily elicit a predatory response in some dog. This may have been the impetus behind the fatal dog attack - [Dog packs increase dog bite risk in Detroit, Michigan](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-packs-increase-dog-bite-risk-in-detroit-michigan/) - The recent filing for bankruptcy in Detroit, Michigan has had an unforeseen effect on the dog population within Detroit. Namely, many dogs have been abandoned by their financially strapped owners, and these dogs have begun to form packs which are now roaming widely throughout the city. Dog bite injury to people has substantially increased in - [Guilty verdict in fatal dog attack on 63-year-old woman by pack of dogs in California](https://www.dogexpert.com/man-guilty-fatal-dog-attack-63-year-old-woman-pack-dogs-california/) - Alex Jackson really did not have much of a chance when his case came before jury in California in August 2014. Jackson was facing charges of second-degree murder for an incident in which four of his pit bulls fatally attacked a 63-year-old Pamela Devitt as she was taking her morning walk in Little Rock California. - [Olympia WA fatal dog attack by pack of pit bulls on 92 y.o. lady](https://www.dogexpert.com/olympia-wa-fatal-dog-attack-pack-pit-bulls-on-92-y-o-lady/) - The dangers of the pack of unsupervised pit bulls in the confines of territory exemplified in Olympia WA fatal dog attack Territorial aggression is a common behavioral trait displayed by many different types of dog breeds. The reaction frequently takes the form of barking, growling, charging, snarling, lunging, biting, or a related aggressive action directed towards an - [Dog Bite Statistics for San Diego County 2011-2012](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-for-san-diego-county-california-2011-2012/) - Recently released dog bite statistics for San Diego California for the period between July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012, as reported to the county's Department of animal services showed the that there were a total of 2921 reported human related dog bites. Breakdown by breed were as follows: 640 attribute to unknown breeds, 399 - [Florida dog bite statistics from State Farm Insurance Company 2012](https://www.dogexpert.com/florida-dog-bite-statistics-from-state-farm-insurance-company-for-2012/) - Dog bite prevention week occurs annually in the United States in the month of May. State Farm insurance company actively is involved in promoting this week, probably in part because the amount of money it costs State Farm to settle these kind of claims. Recently State Farm released dog bite statistics for 2012 for Florida - [Indiana dog bite statistics, 2012](https://www.dogexpert.com/indiana-dog-bite-statistics-2012/) - According to State Farm Insurance, Indiana ranked #7 on the State Farm list of the top 10 states with the most dog bite incidents and litigation payout in 2012. State Farm paid $2.7 million in 2012 to dog bite victims in Indiana. Indiana moved up a notch on State Farm's list compared with data from - [Mom bites off dog's ear in Texas to stop pit bull attack on two-year-old daughter](https://www.dogexpert.com/mom-bites-dogs-ear-texas-stop-pit-bull-attack-two-year-old-daughter/) - In certain situations, particularly when one's own child is at risk, any means of stopping a vicious dog attack is justifiable. This includes sacrificing oneself and accepting the risk of severe injury should the parent choose to intervene. Intervention when the life of one's own child is at risk makes sense from a sociobiological perspective. - [Three-year-old survives vicious pit bull attack in Ohio](https://www.dogexpert.com/three-year-old-survives-vicious-pit-bull-attack-ohio/) - Most toddlers viciously attacked by pit bull type dogs are lucky to survive. Epidemiological evidence supports this belief: studies have repeatedly found that a disproportional amount of fatalities and severe injuries inflicted by pit type dogs happened to children under five years. Various authors have speculated about why children are particularly vulnerable to being - [Second-degree murder charges in Cane Corso fatal dog bite in Michigan](https://www.dogexpert.com/second-degree-murder-charges-couple-whose-cane-corsos-kill-jogger-michigan/) - Cane Corso's are large and muscular mastiff type dogs that have developed a reputation for aggression towards people. Cane Corsos have been disproportionately represented in a number of fatal dog attacks on people, including a well-publicized incident in which a four-year-old boy lost his life in a Brooklyn, New York apartment in May 2011. The latest - [DNA analysis used in Florida deadly dog attack](https://www.dogexpert.com/deadly-dog-attack-florida-kills-four-year-old-toddler/) - Six dogs were seized from a home in the Goulds section of Miami following a deadly dog attack on a four-year-old old boy on August 13, 2014. The incident happened after the toddler wandered into the backyard of the property where the dogs were confined. The boy, was discovered after having been reported missing had ## Pages - [Dog Bite Expert Witness](https://www.dogexpert.com/) - This website introduces Richard Polsky, Ph.D. to attorneys seeking a dog bite expert. Dogexpert.com is the internet’s oldest, most frequently visited, and most comprehensive website on the interplay between animal behavior science and dog bite law. Dogexpert.com is the creation of Richard Polsky. The website contains information on topics such as provocation, negligence, punitive damages, - [Curriculum vitae](https://www.dogexpert.com/curriculum-vitae-dog-bite-expert-richard-polsky-phd/) - Education 1970. B.Sc. The Ohio State University. Area of Specialization: Biopsychology 1975. Ph.D. University of Leicester, Dept. Psychology, Leicester, England. Area of Specialization: Animal Behavior 1977-1979. Postdoctoral studies at University of California, Los Angeles Area of Specialization: Animal Behavior Awards & honors 1977-1978 Postdoctoral Fellowship, Brain Research Institute, UCLA. 1979 National Research Service Award, National Institute - [Dr. Polsky's Mailbag](https://www.dogexpert.com/dr-polskys-mailbag/) - Dogbite expert witness and animal behaviorist, Richard Polsky, PhD welcomes inquiries and will respond as time permits. Thanks for visiting! Question about Pit Bull Statistics Owner fears being sued about dog bite in Alabama Questions about the dangerous nature of pit bulls Cat aggression towards owner triggered by novel odor Pit bull behavior, poor breeding, - [Testimonials Dog expert witness Richard Polsky, PhD](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-behavior-expert-witness-services/) - Defense Attorneys "Thank you for your excellent contribution as a dog expert witness at trial and in conducting the pre-trial workup on our pit bull dog bite case. Your expertise concerning animal behavior was indispensable. I am sure your expert testimony was a large factor in our ability to defend the case. Your dedication and - [Animal behavior analysis of attack-trained police dogs](https://www.dogexpert.com/animal-behavior-analysis-ofattack-trained-police-dogs/) - Police canines used for suspect apprehension in the United States are bred from highly developed breeding lines. The majority of these dogs are imported from countries in Europe, particularly the Netherlands and Germany. Their breeders usually start training dogs earmarked for police work at a very early age. Subsequently, after these dogs are purchased by - [Animal behavior expert witness in California](https://www.dogexpert.com/animal-behavior-expert-witness/) - Animal behavior expert witness, Richard Polsky, Ph.D. provides legal services to attorneys in lawsuits involving personal injury caused by dogs. Dr. Polsky is available for assignment as a dog bite specialist. This page introduces the expert witness services of Dr. Polsky through example of a lawsuit in which he was retained as an expert for - [Animal Behavior & Dog Expert Witness Testimony in Texas](https://www.dogexpert.com/animal-behavior-expert-witness-testimony/) - This page serves as an introduction to dog expert witness / Animal behavior expert, Richard Polsky, PhD. to attorneys in Texas. Dr. Polsky provides expert witness testimony on animal behavior, canine behavior and dog attack and dog bite cases in Texas. Texas lawyers handling dog-related injury cases may not know much about the science of - [User's guide to the scientific literature of dog and cat behavior](https://www.dogexpert.com/authored-book/) - The 2nd Edition of this dog bite expert textbook was published in 1995. No future editions are planned at this time. Those who would like to obtain a copy, please contact Dr. Polsky directly, or a copy may be ordered through your bookseller. Reviews of the 2nd Edition - [Dog bite law](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-law/) - Websites and other published material are now widely available which explain the basics of dog bite law and how this area of law applies to personal injury caused by dog bites. In contrast, this part of dogexpert.com is more limited in scope in that directs readers to legal resources that merit the attention of the - [How to Choose an Animal Behavior Expert Witness](https://www.dogexpert.com/how-to-choose-an-animal-behavior-expert-witness/) - Attorneys litigating dog bite cases probably realize the potential value in retaining the services of an animal behavior expert. This is especially true in states that impose strict liability for dog bites, such as California and Arizona or in states like Texas where negligence is the legal theory most often used to determine the plaintiff's liability. However, - [Interpretation of temperament tests in dog bite cases](https://www.dogexpert.com/interpretation-temperament-tests-in-dog-bite-cases/) - Some dog bite experts assume that testing for temperament when a dog is apuppy, preferably around eight weeks of age, can predict what the dog will belike temperamentally when it reaches adulthood. Specifically, I have served as an expert in several dog bite lawsuits in Arizona, California and Nevada in which the opposing animal behavior - [Dog Bite Statistics & Info for the Boerboel](https://www.dogexpert.com/boerboel-expert-statistics-information/) - Boerboel expert perspectives / Dog bite news Concerns raised about the aggressive nature of Boerboels Boerboel viciously attacks employee in restaurant in Nevada Links about the Boerboel AKC website Wikipedia ___________ Attorneys have retained Richard Polsky, Ph.D. to opine about the potentially dangerous nature of Boerboels. Because - [Dog bite statistics & info for police canines](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-for-police-k-9s/) - Animal behavior analysis of attacked training police canines The nature of dog bite injury inflicted by police canines Dangerous nature of attack-trained police dogs Civil rights police K-9 dog bite attack in San Diego California Police dog attack verdict: $222,000 awarded to California victim Police dog bite attack on innocent bystander settles for $225,000 in - [Attorney Instructions for Submission to Directory](https://www.dogexpert.com/attorney-instruction-for-submission-to-directory/) - Dr.Polsky's Directory of Dog Bite Attorneys is now accepting listings from attorneys handling dog bite cases. The Directory is new as of March 2020. A Basic listing includes attorney contact information PLUS a valuable niche-specific link back to your website! Costs is $99.00 annually. An Enhanced listing includes all of the above PLUS it allows - [Fatal Dog Attacks in the United States](https://www.dogexpert.com/fatal-dog-attacks/) - The task of providing readers my readers with verifiable and accurate statistics on fatal dog attacks in the USA is a time-consuming task. Moreover, collecting stats on fatal dog attacks is not as meaningful as it once was. Why? Because the epidemiology and statistics about fatal dog attacks remain approximately the same from year-to-year. Hence, - [Dog Bite & Animal Behavior Expert Witness in Washington](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-washington/) - Richard Polsky, Ph.D. provides expert witness services in animal behavior for dog bite attorneys in Washington state. Dr. Polsky has successfully served attorneys in Washington. Below, Dr. Polsky presents dog-related personal injury events specific to Washington which may be of interest to Washington attorneys handling dog bite cases. Appellate court upholds liability in the 2.2 - [Dog Bite News, Statistics & Info on Pit Bulls](https://www.dogexpert.com/pit-bull-expert-statistics-information/) - Fatal dog bite by pit bulls in South Carolina illustrates the dangerous nature of dog packs $1 million dog bite settlement in Flordia pit bull attack on a meter reader Fatal dog bite in Nevada triggered by possession aggression in a pit bull Can a pit bull be accurately identified through physical appearance? Dog bite - [Are pit bulls inherently dangerous animals? Expert opinion](https://www.dogexpert.com/pit-bull-expert-opinion-pit-bulls-different/) - New stories about dog bite fatalities and other maulings by pit bulls have engendered the belief the minds of many that pit bulls are inherently vicious and dangerous animals. As a result, municipalities throughout the world have enacted controversial laws banning pit bulls or imposing restrictions on ownership. Are these laws justified? Does animal behavior - [Provocation for facial dog bite by border collie?](https://www.dogexpert.com/provocation-border-collie-facial-dog-bite-child/) - Provocation for facial dog bites must be considered as a possible explanation in most dog bite injuries inflicted to the face of the child. This opinion is widely held among most to most animal behavior experts. For example, many experts believe that children often interact with dogs in a manner that might be provocative. And - [Utah dog bite expert Witness: The danger of dogs kept on chains](https://www.dogexpert.com/pitbull-attacks-six-year-old-utah-breaking-free-chain/) - Dog bite expert witness and animal behavior specialist, Richard Polsky, PhD, provides expert witness services to attorneys in Utah and Montana litigating personal injury resulting from canine aggression and related canine behaviors. This page serves to let attorneys in Utah know about Dr. Polsky's availability to serve as an animal behavior expert witness. Dr. Polsky - [California dog bite expert witness - Legal services](https://www.dogexpert.com/california-dog-bite-expert-witness-legal-services/) - This page introduces California dog bite expert witness Richard Polsky, Ph.D., to attorneys seeking a specialist in animal behavior. Overview of dog bite expert witness services by Dr. Polsky Dr. Polsky is an experienced and well qualified expert witness. Over 500 times, in both civil and criminal cases, dog bite attorneys have retained him. Services - [Animal behavior expert witness & legal consultant](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-expert-witness/) - Dog bite legal consultant in animal behavior, Richard Polsky, Ph.D., provides expert testimony on dog attacks to attorneys litigating cases on personal injury caused by the behavior of canines. As a dog bite consultant on animal behavior, Dr. Polsky will advise attorneys on liability issues such as negligence and provocation injury and if the plaintiff's - [Dog Bite News in Pennsylvania](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-pennsylvania/) - Richard Polsky, Ph.D. is an expert witness and animal behavior specialist who specializes in dog bites. He offers his services to attorneys in Pennsylvania who are litigating personal injury cases that are the consequence of canine aggressiveness and other associated canine behaviors. It is the purpose of this page to let Pennsylvania attorneys know of - [Expert opinion about animal behavior factors associated with severe dog bite attack in South Carolina](https://www.dogexpert.com/south-carolina-study-identifies-factors-associated-with-severe-dog-bite-attack/) - As a dog bite expert in animal behavior who has testified about serious dog attack cases in South Carolina, I focus especially on the risk factors associated with severe dog bite attacks. Below, I share my professional insights from a well-cited, peer-reviewed study regarding this issue in South Carolina. Animal behavior factors associated with severe - [Animal behavior expert witness for dog bite attorneys in Virginia](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-virginia/) - Virginia dog expert witness and animal behavior specialist Richard Polsky Ph.D. provides legal services to attorneys involved in dog bite litigation. Both criminal and civil. Services include consultation, report writing, virtual deposition testimony (via Zoom) and live courtroom testimony when required. Dr. Polsky, as a result of his academic background and and professional experience is - [Dog Bite Provocation: Was the dog provoked?](https://www.dogexpert.com/animal-behavior-expert-witness/provocation-in-dog-bite-cases/) - Dog bite provocation is one of the most common animal behavior issues in dog bite litigation. In civil cases, the defense may question whether provocation was a factor causing the dog to attack and bite the plaintiff. Willfully invited injury - or comparative fault by the plaintiff - as a result of provocation is often - [Dog bite legal expert - strict liability in California & Arizona](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-expert-opinion-strict-liability-california-arizona/) - In this post, I discuss the value of expert opinion from the perspective of a dog bite legal expert. In this post, I specifically focus on the states of Arizona and California. I choose these states because these states which have “strict liability” laws for dog bites. And it is in strict liability states, as - [Florida animal behavior expert witness | Dog bite expert | Canine knock-down](https://www.dogexpert.com/florida-expert-witness-dog-behavior/) - As an animal behavior expert witness serving attorneys in Florida, I have been called by attorneys who are interested in my opinions as a dog expert witness and canine bite expert. Hence, For the purpose of providing counsel in Florida an introduction to my work as a dog expert witness, this page serves as an - [Animal behavior expert witness | Dog bite legal consultant in Arizona and Oregon](https://www.dogexpert.com/animal-behavior-legal-consulting/) - As an animal behavior expert witness & dog bite legal consultant for attorneys in Arizona and Oregon, I have been frequently contacted seeking my opinions as a canine expert witness in dog bite litigation. The impression I found by speaking with some attorneys is that the attorney was seeking an advocate rather than an impartial - [Oregon Dog Bite & Animal Behavior Expert Witness](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-oregon/) - Richard Polsky, Ph.D., an expert witness who specializes in animal behavior and dog bites, is presented to Oregon attorneys on this page. If a lawyer in Oregon is looking for an expert witness to provide their opinion on a variety of topics pertaining to animal behavior, including but not limited to dog behavior, canine aggression, - [Dog bite expert opines about Fabian’s law in Arizona](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-expert-opinion-fabians-law-arizona/) - As an Arizona dog bite expert witness in animal behavior, I am familiar with dog bite law as pertains to what a canine owner should have known about the vicious propensities in their dog. This knowledge is central to the substance of why Fabian's law, as it pertains to canine attack by dogs in Arizona, - [Animal behavior expert witness & canine bite specialist in California](https://www.dogexpert.com/animal-behavior-specialist-california/) - Animal Behavior Counseling Services, Inc. was founded in 1983 by California dog behavior and canine bite expert witness, Richard Polsky, Ph.D. Dr. Polsky, an animal behaviorist with academic training, resides in Los Angeles, California. He welcomes inquiries from plaintiff and defense attorneys, prosecutors, and public defenders seeking expert witness legal services from a well-qualified and - [Criminals, dangerous dogs and expert opinion about a Nevada fatal dog bite](https://www.dogexpert.com/criminals-dangerous-dogs-expert-opinion-nevada-fatal-dog-bite/) - As a Nevada dog bite expert witness with expertise in animal behavior, I have always placed a great deal of emphasis using findings from studies published in the animal behavior literature in formulating opinions as a dog bite expert. Thus, I read with interest a news report about an owner whose three pit bulls fatally attacked a - [Texas Dog Bite & Animal Behavior Expert Witness](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-texas/) - This page introduces dog bite and animal behavior expert witness Richard Polsky, Ph.D., to attorneys in Texas. Attorneys in Texas seeking the services of an expert witness to opine on dog behavior, canine aggression, unprovoked dog attacks, irresponsible ownership, dangerous dog breeds and related issues in animal behavior are encouraged to contact Dr. Polsky. Dog - [Animal behavior | Dog bite expert witness in Texas](https://www.dogexpert.com/texas-expert-witness-animal-behavior-dog-bite/) - This page introduces Texas attorneys to animal behavior | dog bite expert witness Richard Polsky, Ph.D. Dr. Polsky welcomes inquiries from attorneys in Texas looking for an animal behavior specialist to opine about issues commonly found in dog bite litigation involving canines of all breeds and of all temperaments. Animal behavior issues include, but are - [Dog bite prevention & safety expert witness](https://www.dogexpert.com/expert-opinion-dog-bite-safety-prevention/) - Below, canine behavior expert witness Richard Polsky, PhD provides recommendations using his expert perspective on dog bite prevention and safety. This is an issue that frequently occurs in dog bite litigation due to the supposed negligence of the landlord or dog owner. Failure to abide by the steps below will often increase the likelihood of - [Canine Bite Expert Witness Opinion on Daubert](https://www.dogexpert.com/kelly-frye-california-dog-bite-expert-witness/) - Daubert criteria are rarely applied in dog bite civil cases. Unfortunately, as a canine dog bite expert witness, this is the opinion I have formed after many years testifying at trial in dog bite litigation. My experiences been that trial judges usually fail to apply these criteria when ruling on the kind of animal behavior - [Guidelines for qualifications as an expert witness in animal behavior](https://www.dogexpert.com/criteria-for-expert-witness-qualification/) - Retaining the services of a testifying animal behavior expert witness can make the difference in whether an attorney wins their case for a dog bite victim. However, dog bite attorneys need to realize that not all animal behavior expert witnesses are equal. There are vast differences in the qualifications between individuals promoting themselves to attorneys - [Meet Richard Polsky, Ph.D. | Dog Bite Expert Witness](https://www.dogexpert.com/forensic-experience-in-dog-bite-cases/) - Here's a snapshot of Dr. Polsky's qualifications: Education & experience Ph.D. in animal behavior, University of Leicester Postdoctoral fellow in animal behavior at the University of Birmingham (England) & University of California at Los Angeles Well-published in peer-reviewed journals 35+ yrs. private practice treating and analyzing aggression in dogs as an applied animal behaviorist in - [Are pit bulls more dangerous than other dog breeds?](https://www.dogexpert.com/are-pit-bulls-more-dangerous-than-other-breeds/) - 60-year-old Archie Hillard was hospitalized as a result of a pit bull attack in Norwalk, Connecticut in August 2012. He sustained dog bite injury to his left leg and arm, and according to news reports, his ankle was chewed to the bone. Police state that it took four officers with tasers to subdue the dog. - [Wolf hybrid aggression & features](https://www.dogexpert.com/wolf-hybrid-aggression-behavior/) - A wolf hybrid is defined as an animal that is the immediate or remote descendant from the mating between a domestic dog and wolf. A wolf is not domesticated and therefore any dog mixed with wolf, known as a wolf hybrid, should not be considered "domesticated". Accordingly, from an animal behavior perspective, one would expect that - [Fatal wolf attack on human in Alaska](https://www.dogexpert.com/alaska-dog-bite-fatality-on-human-by-wolf/) - Wolf attacks on humans are rare. However, there is indication that the shy, reserved nature of the wolf toward humans in the wilderness may be changing. From my perspective in animal behavior, evidence to support this suspicion comes from a tragic incident in which a pack of wolves killed a human in March 2010. Description - [Attorney Contact Form](https://www.dogexpert.com/attorney-contact-form/) - Richard H. Polsky, Ph.D. CDBC Animal Behavior Counseling Services, Inc. 2288 Manning Ave., Los Angeles, CA. 90064 310-474-3776 800-605-2227 Attorneys & Legal Staff: Please email or complete the form below. Please indicate if urgent and Dr. Polsky will respond within 1 business day. Please briefly describe your case, stage of litigation and - [Fee schedule for Dr. Polsky](https://www.dogexpert.com/fee-schedule/) - Please contact Dr. Polsky. The fee schedule will be sent upon request. - [Attorney submission form](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-expert-information-form/) - Email or submit information about your dog bite case using the form below. - [Dog bite statistics & info on Cane Corso](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-info-on-cane-corso/) - One cannot deny the fact that severe dog bite attacks and human fatalities by Cane Corsos happen at disproportionately high rates. For example, Cane Corsos were involved in 21 fatal dog attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998. However, this statistic in itself does not prove that the breed is inherently dangerous. Rather, - [Dog bite statistics & info for German Shepherd](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-for-german-shepherd/) - German Shepherd dog bite case settles for $500,000 in California Four-year-old killed by unrestrained German Shepherd mix in rural Alabama Reconstruction of a German Shepherd dog bite attack in California Dog bite to the face by a German Shepherd in a Texas Petco store Simone Biles, Olympic gymnast, bitten by German Shepherd Amazon driver killed - [The Animal Behavior Expert: Help for Dog Bite Attorneys](https://www.dogexpert.com/california-animal-behavior-expert-dog-bite-attorneys/) - The need for the services of an animal behavior expert is certainly warranted in some dog bite lawsuits. This is particularly true when the gain from monetary damages are substantial. California attorneys may remain uncertain about the potential value of retaining the legal services of an expert in animal behavior. Below, I explain the beneficial - [Dog bite or scratch? - Expert opinion](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-scratch-expert-opinion/) - Occasionally there may be uncertainty about whether the injury inflicted on a person was caused by a dog bite or scratch. This issue occasionally arises in dog bite litigation. In states which impose strict liability for dog bites, as in Arizona, Florida, California, and Michigan, the claimant can usually successfully sue an owner for damages - [Site map for dogexpert.com](https://www.dogexpert.com/site-map/) - [simple-sitemap] [simple-sitemap-group] - [Contact](https://www.dogexpert.com/contact-dr-polsky/) - [contact-form-7 id="102" title="Contact form 1"] - [Dog bite negligence: Was the dog properly managed?](https://www.dogexpert.com/negligence-in-dog-bite-dog-knock-down-cases-2/) - Key takeaways Expert opinion usually focuses on whether reasonable steps were taken by the defendant to prevent the incident from happening. The expert can analyze the circumstances in which the dog was maintained and explain what step should have been taken to prevent the incident from happening The degree of negligence depends on the circumstances. - [Excessive force by an attack-trained police K-9 - A blatant example](https://www.dogexpert.com/excessive-force-police-k-9/) - Excessive force delivered by attacked trained police K9s happen frequently, giving rise to many lawsuits against K9 handlers and the municipalities. Examples of excessive force delivered by a canine can be found on YouTube, as in this example. In any given instance when canine force is used for criminal apprehension, there is the potential for - [Foreseeability of injury caused by jumping in a Great Dane?](https://www.dogexpert.com/foreseeability-of-injury-caused-by-jumping-in-a-great-dane/) - An example of questions about foreseeability of dog behavior happened in California when a Great Dane suddenly jumped and smashed its head forcibly into the faces of a lady who had just started to bend over to pet the dog. Just before she started to bend, The dog was was laying on the ground. The victim, a model and - [Do pit bulls inflict severe dog bite injury at high rates?](https://www.dogexpert.com/https-www-dogexpert-com-pit-bull-severe-dog-bite-injury/) - As an avid opponent to breed-specific legislation, I feel compelled to make my readers aware of a study published in 2011 pit bull severe dog bite injurywhich cogently argued that pit bulls inflict severe dog bite injury to people when compared with other dog breeds (Mortality, mauling, and maiming by vicious dogs. J. Bini, S. - [Pit bull terriers: Animal behavior expert opinion](https://www.dogexpert.com/pit-bull-terriers-separating-fact-from-fiction/) - Animal behavior expert opinions and testimony of a dog bite expert witness may be needed in dog bite lawsuits involving pit bulls or dogs that physically resemble pit bulls. Often, the trier of fact in a civil lawsuit needs to be told about the origins and background of this breed and the supposed propensity of - [Dog Bite Legal Abstracts](https://www.dogexpert.com/archives-of-legal-abstracts/) - California mother vindicated in dog bite genital mutilation of infant son Child abuse or dog attack? Collection of forensic evidence in dog bite cases Dog bite liability in pet stores successfully challenged by defense in New York rulling Flordia settlement against property owner & property management company for $ 1 million New Jersey pit bull - [Dog bite news in Arizona | Canine behavior expert Arizona](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-arizona/) - Man bites dog in Arizona! Bizarre dog bite incident in Phoenix Dog behavior expert opinion on the dog bite lawsuit in Arizona Recent statistics in 2014 show increase in severe dog bite attacks and hospital stays for dog bite victims in Arizona How does animal behavior expert opinion apply to dog bite law in California - [Dog Bite / Animal Behavior Expert Witness for North Carolina Attorneys](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-north-carolina/) - Dog bite expert witness services for attorneys in North Carolina are provided by animal behaviorist Richard H. Polsky, Ph.D. Dr. Polsky is an experienced expert witness having been retained by attorneys on numerous occasions with favorable results. This page provides a summary of dog bite new stories specific North Carolina. It also serves an introduction - [Dog aggression expert opinion on human directed aggression in dogs](https://www.dogexpert.com/causes-of-aggression-in-dogs/) - Dog bite attorneys may benefit by retaining the services a dog aggression expert when liability is contested in dog bite lawsuits involving attacks on humans. Questions about liability need to be examined from the perspective of animal behavior science using analysis that considers factors known to have a strong causal influence on the display of - [Montana dog bite news | Dog Expert Witness](https://www.dogexpert.com/montana-dog-bite-expert-witness/) - Dog bite expert witness in Montana, Richard Polsky, PhD summarizes newsworthy events concerning incidences in which people have been attacked, bitten by a dog or those instances in which legal action is taken against a person because of their interaction with the dog, such as fatally killing a dog. Other sections of this website - [Fatal dog mauling in Red Bluff, California](https://www.dogexpert.com/fatal-dog-mauling-in-red-bluff-california/) - People vs. Schneider is a case that went to trial in 2003 which involved the fatal mauling of a seven 7 year-old boy by two Rottweiler mix dogs. The defendant in this case was an ex-police officer who the maintain these two dogs, along with another Rottweiler dog, on his property in the rural town - [Dog expert testimony in CA dog bite lawsuit | A Case Study](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-expert-testimony-california/) - Retaining the services of an animal behaviorist to render dog expert testimony often is a value in lawsuits involving personal injury caused by canines. However, attorneys handling the dog bite cases may not fully understand the need or the role of the animal behavior expert. In this post I will describe testimony and opinions that - [Expert Opinion about Dangerous Nature of Attack-Trained Police K9s](https://www.dogexpert.com/dangerous-nature-of-attack-trained-police-dogs/) - Understanding the dangerous nature of attack-trained police dogs from the perspective of a dog bite expert witness is often ignored in both civil and criminal litigation. Instead, focus usually remains on the exemplary nature of police dog training and a canine’s history of successfully apprehending suspects. Usually little if any consideration is given to animal behavior aspects - [The unpredictable nature of police canines used for suspect apprehension](https://www.dogexpert.com/the-predictably-unpredictable-nature-of-police-canines/) - There is a paucity of information about the number of people bitten annually by police canines in the United States. However, it is likely that the number of individuals attacked by these kind of dogs is high based on the costs to municipalities to cover police dog bite claims. For example, an indication of the - [Police dog "bite-and-hold" results in $145k settlement for excessive force in California](https://www.dogexpert.com/police-dog-bite-and-hold-california/) - The handlers of police K-9s frequently assert that they are able to control their K-9 partners and the force they deliver when deployed for suspect apprehension in field situations. However, this assertion needs to be questioned given the events surrounding an incident that happened in Pittsburgh, California in November 2011. This incident, a lawsuit was - [Problems with pit bull identification](https://www.dogexpert.com/problems-with-pit-bull-identification/) - There is no officially recognized breed of dog known as pit bull. A "pit bull" is not a dog breed. A pit bull is not listed orrecognized as a breed either by the American Kennel Club or the United Kennel Club, or any other dog registry in the world. Established breeds commonly lumped together as - [Problems with dog breed identification by physical features: Bull Terriers](https://www.dogexpert.com/breed-identification-in-bull-terriers/) - In dog bite lawsuits, caution is warranted if the breed of the dog is based solely on physical characteristics. In other words, what witnesses or the owner say the dog looks like. In other words, based on visual criteria. For example, take the German Shepherd, or a German shepherd mix. There are many dogs that - [Breed misidentification in Michigan in dog bite fatality](https://www.dogexpert.com/breed-misidentification-in-michigan-dog-bite-fatality-2/) - Below are two new stories reporting on breed misidentification with regards to a dog bite fatality in Detroit, Michigan. In the first story, the breed of dog is reported as being pit bull, and in the second story the breed is identified as bullmastiff. Take the Pit bull identification test to further understand difficulties in accurately assessing - [Should pit bulls be profiled?](https://www.dogexpert.com/should-dog-breeds-be-profiled/) - An article published quite some time ago remains meaningful to those in the dog world who advocate for pitbulls. In 2006 in the New Yorker Magazine: Troublemakers: What pit bulls can teach us about profiling, The New Yorker February 6th, 2006. Specifically, the article addresses the much-publicized problem with pitbull attacks, and how to identify - [Pit bull mauling victim awarded 2.2 million in Washington](https://www.dogexpert.com/pit-bull-mauling-victim-awarded-2-2-million-in-washington/) - Pit bull dog mauling victim, Sue Gorman, was awarded $2.2 million in August 2011 by a jury in Pierce County, Washington. The incident in question happened August, 2007 in Gig Harbor, Washington. Below I will share some thoughts from my perspective in animal behavior. Circumstances surrounding the incident The fact pattern was as follows: Two - [Akita dog bite expert witness | Statistics & Information about Akitas](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-info-for-akita/) - Akita's have not been involved in many reported dog bite instances. The breed has its origins in Japan and is known for its impassive but yet territorial nature. Characterizations include tranquil, stoic, profoundly loyal, dignified, courageous and a good guard dog. Akita's have a life expectancy between 10 and 13 years. Males are larger. The weight - [Dog bite expert opines about dog bite fatalities caused by police canines](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-fatalities-police-canines/) - Appellate decisions which have examined the fact patterns surrounding police dog bite attacks on people have consistently ruled that a police dog does not have the capability or the potential to kill a person (see Robinette v. Barnes, 854 F.2d 909, 102 ALR Fed. 605 (6th Cir. 1988); Fikes v. Cleghorn, 47 F.3d 1011 (9th - [Dog Bite Statistics & Breed-Specific Legislation](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-breed-specific-legislation/) - Because of the ubiquitous presence of dogs in society, inevitably people on some occasions well find themselves proximate to a dog, whether it be by their own choosing or not. Given the ever present opportunity for contact and interaction between dogs and people, and given the vast differences in behavioral reactivity between dogs, it is not - [Provocation & comparative fault in California dog bite lawsuit](https://www.dogexpert.com/provocation-comparative-fault-california-dog-bite-lawsuit/) - In California, a strict liability state for dog bites, the amount of award for the plaintiff will be reduced if the jury believes that the plaintiff contributed to her own injuries. Below, I describe a dog bite lawsuit in California in which the principal liability issue contested were provocation and comparative fault by the plaintiff. Fact - [Research of Richard Polsky, PhD, CDBC](https://www.dogexpert.com/update-of-research-by-richard-polsky-phd/) - I. Attitudes and perceptions of dog owners and non-dog owners of pit bull type dogs in California, Colorado and New York Purpose and aims of research: To determine if differences existed differences in attitudes of people towards dogs of different breeds, particularly referencing to pit bull type dogs. Method Data collection consisted of questioning strangers - [Deposition guidelines for attorneys](https://www.dogexpert.com/deposition-guidelines-attorneys/) - Content forthcoming, approximately March 2014. Available for download at that time. Please visit the Store for additional details. - [California Dog Bite Statistics](https://www.dogexpert.com/california-dog-bite-statistics-sharp-increase-hospitalizations-er-visits/) - Hospitalizations and emergency room visits by people bitten by a dog in California have increased markedly in recent years, according to new dog bite statistics published on the website maintained by the California Department of Public Health. Recently released statistics show a 30% increase in emergency room visits as a result of dog bite injury - [Questions for and about the animal behavior expert witness in dog bite lawsuits](https://www.dogexpert.com/questions-for-the-animal-behavior-expert-in-dog-bite-lawsuits/) - An animal behavior expert witness may be called upon to address certain recurrent questions in dog bite lawsuits. These include include those about provocation, dangerous propensities, if the dog bite incident was foreseeable, negligence, and whether the injury to the plaintiff was caused by a dog bite. Animal behavior expert opinion can also be used - [How Can Dog Expert Testimony Help the Attorney?](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-expert-testimony/) - Dog expert testimony often can prove helpful to attorneys litigating dog bite cases. However, attorneys may be uncertain about the value of hiring a dog bite expert for expert testimony. Costs may be a factor in bringing on an expert to the case, particularly when the value of the case is not great. However, when - [Fatal dog bites: 6 critical animal behavior factors likely to cause death](https://www.dogexpert.com/fatal-dog-bites-animal-behavior-expert-opinion/) - The six most critical animal behavioral variables associated with fatal dog bites in the USA appear in the table at the bottom of this post. This page presents a short overview of those factors associated with the dog, the victim and the circumstances when a dog bite injury is the direct cause of death in - [Excessive force caused by police K-9s : Resources](https://www.dogexpert.com/excessive-force-police-k9s/) - The purpose of this page is have a single location on www.dogexpert.com where the visitor can find news stories, appellate decisions, and related information regarding excessive force caused by police K9. Also summarized are a few topics that frequently arise rise in dog bite lawsuits filed against the police. What is a bite ratio The - [Costly legal battle over potentially dangerous dogs in Yucca Valley, California](https://www.dogexpert.com/costly-legal-battle-over-potentially-dangerous-dogs-in-yucca-valley-california/) - Even in small towns, battles between animal control and dog owners over dangerous dogs happen, and these battles can become costly. Take for example, the protracted legal battle that happened in California Valley, CA. population 500, between dog owner James Lavelle and animal control authorities over the fate of his two beloved Shepherd mix dogs, - [Dog bite statistics & info for Golden retriever](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-info-for-golden-retriever/) - Provocation by Golden retriever in a knock down case in Florida - [Did the Landlord Know the Dog was Dangerous?](https://www.dogexpert.com/animal-behavior-opinion-in-landlord-dog-bite-cases/) - In landlord dog bite cases involving tenants with dangerous dogs an important issue deals with the following: establishing that the landlord had actual knowledge that the subject dog created a dangerous condition on his property and the landlord was in the position to rectify this danger. (Ucello v. Laudenslayer (1975) 44 Cal. App. 3d 504, 507). It may be - [Problems with breed-specific legislation: Can a pit bull be accurately identified through physical appearance?](https://www.dogexpert.com/problems-with-breed-specific-legislation-can-a-pit-bull-be-accurately-identified-through-physical-appearance/) - Legislation that regulates the ownership pit bulls has questionable legal bases for number of reasons, some of which include vagueness of the law, violation of a person's First Amendment rights, and violation of due process. An article that provided interesting commentary on the legal aspects of breed-specific legislation was published several years ago in the - [Animal Behavior Expert Witness for Michigan Dog Bite Attorneys](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-michigan/) - Animal behavior expert witness, Richard Polsky, PhD will consider assignments from law offices in Michigan handling dog bites and other dog-related injury cases. Most expert assignments can be handled remotely including deposition testimony via Zoom, documentation review, report writing etc. When necessary Dr. Polsky will travel to Michigan for trial testimony. Animal behavior issues Dr. - [San Francisco dog mauling defendant has murder conviction upheld](https://www.dogexpert.com/san-francisco-dog-mauling-defendant-has-murder-conviction-upheld/) - In what might be the final word on the infamous San Francisco dog mauling case, defendant Margarie Knoller, had her second-degree murder conviction reinstated by San Francisco Superior Court Judge Charlene Woodlard, in a September, 2008 ruling. In the original 2003 jury trial, Knoller was found guilty of second-degree murder by a jury in Los - [Animal Behavior Expert Witness Consulting | Bio Richard Polsky, Ph.D.](https://www.dogexpert.com/animal-behavior-expert-witness-consulting-bio-richard-polsky-ph-d/) - Dog bite expert witness, Richard Polsky, Ph.D. obtained a doctorate in animal behavior from the University of Leicester in 1975. Dr. Polsky was mentored by Prof. Waldek Sluckin during his studies at Leicester (1970-1975). Subsequently, Dr. Polsky spent two years (1974-1976) as a research associate in animal behavior at the University of Birmingham in England, - [Los Angeles Dangerous Dog Hearing](https://www.dogexpert.com/los-angeles-dangerous-dog-hearing/) - In Los Angeles city and Los Angeles County, animal control agencies have the legal right to take whatever action they deem appropriate to protect the public from dangerous dogs. In order to do this, a "dangerous dog hearing" may be conducted. During this hearing, a designated hearing officer evaluates relevant evidence for the purpose of - [Dog Bite Prevention & Safety for Children](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-prevention-safety-for-children-and-others/) - Annually in the United States, a widely used estimate is that approximately 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs, and many victims are children. Hence, educating children and their parents about dog bite safety techniques is needed to reduce the risk of dog bite injury to both children and adults alike. Information about dog bite prevention - [Dr. Richard Polsky giving courtroom testimony](https://www.dogexpert.com/video-testimony-of-dr-polsky/) - Comments Brilliant work from Dr. Polsky - and very thoughtful. Missy has clearly formed a 'pack' with her German Shepherd friend - to separate the two dogs at this stage would be nothing short of cruel. Best wishes from Ruth and Jasper the Staffordshire Bull Terrier in England! I only have one pet, and I - [Police dog bite attack in California kills innocent bystander](https://www.dogexpert.com/settlement-in-california-police-dog-bite-attack-that-may-have-killed-89-year-old-man/) - A dog bite attack by a police canine onto a person often causes severe injury, but never death. There are only a few documented incidents of a person being killed by a police canine. In fact, courts have ruled that police canines do not constitute a deadly force. However, in what might be the first - [Dog bite statistics](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics/) - A large amount of data about dog bite statistics and injury inflicted by dogs to people has been researched and published in the last several decades. We now know more about who gets bit, where they get bit, the bite injuries a victim sustains and the breed of dog the victim is bitten by. For - [Reconstruction of a German Shepherd attack in a California dog bite lawsuit](https://www.dogexpert.com/reconstruction-german-shepherd-attack-california-dog-bite-lawsuit/) - Reconstruction of a dog bite incident by an animal behavior expert may be beneficial in lawsuits in which the plaintiff and defense dispute how the incident happened. Below, I described a dog bite lawsuit in which the plaintiff, a UPS driver, was attacked by the defendant's five-year-old German Shepherd, Lucy. Did the - [Choose the best expert witness for your police dog bite lawsuit](https://www.dogexpert.com/animal-behavior-expert-police-dog-bite-attacks/) - There are two kinds of expert witnesses an attorney may use to render expert opinion and testimony in police dog bite lawsuits. First, there is an animal behavior expert. Second, there is a police dog handler. Each has their own specialized area of expertise. Below, I focus on the differences between these two types of - [Expert opinion on the reliability of dog breed identification](https://www.dogexpert.com/expert-opinion-reliability-dog-breed-identification/) - The accuracy of using the physical features of a dog to identify the breeds comprising a mixed breed dog with unknown parentage has come under scrutiny in recent years. Until recently there was no other alternative other than visual inspection of physical characteristics as a means to identify the breeds comprising a mixed breed dog with - [Dog bites in the USA](https://www.dogexpert.com/animal-behavior-analysis-dog-bite-news-dog-bite-law-usa/) - This section of dogexpert.com contains stories about dog bites in the US, including fatal dog attacks. Use the search box to search by keyword or to navigate to a particular US state. Also see Dog bites by breed and dog bite statistics. Attorneys in need of a dog bite expert witness, click here. Dog bite victims - [Dog bite statistics & info for Great Dane](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-info-for-the-great-dane/) - Dog bite attack by pack of great Danes in Colorado Great Dane snatches child from mother in California Great Dane dog bite attack on child in pet store in Wisconsin Great Dane jumps into car and attacks lady at Freedom Dog Park in Evans, Colorado Fatal dog attacks involving great Danes on family members. - [Great Dane snatches child from mother in California](https://www.dogexpert.com/great-dane-snatches-child-from-mother-in-southern-california/) - A 6-month-old infant girl was hospitalized as a result of dog bite wounds sustained in an unusual attack by a 170 lb. Great Dane dog in the Los Angeles suburb of Monrovia, California in December 2010. According to news reports, the mother was standing at the front entrance of a neighbor's home, chatting with the - [Dog bite safety and prevention - How effective is an educational approach?](https://www.dogexpert.com/effective-education-dog-bite-safety/) - The techniques underlying dog bite safety and prevention programs are largely based on the beliefs that: Dog bite frequently can be reduced provided people are educated about canine body language and canine emotions indicating that a dog might bite; Educate people about the circumstances in which dog bites happen. This educational approach has been the cornerstone of - [Florida dog bite statistics](https://www.dogexpert.com/florida-dog-bite-statistics/) - Public health concerns over dog bites have given rise to many studies which have examined the epidemiology and demographics of dog bites. The most recent national study confirmed the widely reported statistic that approximately 4.5 million people, or 1.5% of the total population, are bitten annually in the United States, and that children under 10 years - [Dog Bite & Animal Behavior Expert Witness for Attorneys in Florida](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-florida/) - Animal behavior specialist and dog bite expert, Richard Polsky, Ph.D. provides expert witness services to attorneys in Florida litigating personal injury caused by dogs. Issues which Dr. Polsky has testified about in court in Florida have included those dealing with provocation and whether the injuries inflicted to an infant in Gainesville by an off-duty police - [What causes death from a dog bite?](https://www.dogexpert.com/what-causes-death-from-a-dog-bite/) - Death usually happens when the bite is inflicted to a person's neck causing loss of a large amount of blood within a brief span (< 5 min.), or suffocation. 1. Blood loss due to severing of the jugular vein or carotid arteries. The carotid arteries are located on the side of the neck slightly under - [Dog bite risk in pit bulls after adoption from  an animal shelter](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-risk-in-pit-bulls-after-adoption-from-an-animal-shelter/) - Pit bull type dogs by far the most common dog found in urban animal shelters in the United States. The reason for the high population numbers in all likelihood stems from the widespread and reckless breeding of pit bull type dogs over the last 30 years. More so than any type of dog, pit bulls - [Dog Bite Verdicts & Settlements](https://www.dogexpert.com/verdicts-settlements-dog-bites/) - [table id=4 /] - [No provocation when man bites dog in Arizona](https://www.dogexpert.com/no-provocation-when-man-bites-dog-in-arizona/) - The appropriateness of a bystander’s intervention to stop a fight between two dogs depends on a number of factors, such circumstances present, the severity of the fight, the relationship between the dogs and bystander, the size difference between the dogs, and readily available external objects one might use to stop the fight. Fights between dogs - [Ohio Dog Bite Expert Witness & Animal Behavior Testimony](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-ohio/) - Newsworthy dog bite events in Ohio that would benefit from expert opinion and stories which Dr. Polsky shares with the followers of dogexpert.com include: Dog bites off part of inmate's nose at prison in Columbus Fatal dog attack by bull mastiff mix dogs in Dayton kills 57-year-old lady, February 2014. Fatal dog attack by family - [Provocation by an intoxicated woman in a dog bite lawsuit in San Diego, California?](https://www.dogexpert.com/provocation-intoxicated-woman-dog-bite-lawsuit-san-diego-california/) - Companion dogs are exceptional in that they have the ability to accurately read nonverbal social and emotional cues from humans. This is a trait that has developed as a result of the domestication process, and one that benefits both man and dog alike. Moreover, normally socialized dogs usually have expectancies in terms of the social - [Dog Bite Expert in Canada](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-expert-for-lawyers-in-canada/) - Dr. Polsky is available to barristers in Canada as a dog bite expert witness. He has qualified in Canadian courts as an expert in animal behavior in civil trials in Ontario and British Columbia, and was retained in Calgary in 2010 in a high profile dog mauling case. Barristers should note that the physical presence of Dr. - [Dog bite attack by pack of Great Danes in Colorado](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-attack-by-pack-of-great-danes-in-colorado/) - It is widely believed by animal behavior specialists that well-bred Great Dane dogs are docile by nature, provided that they are well-trained and socialized. Nonetheless, some Great Danes together as a dog pack in certain circumstances may act aggressively and inflict severe dog bite injury to people. This was exemplified in a July 2013 incident - [Animal Behavior / Dog Bite Expert for Georgia Attorneys](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-georgia/) - Animal behavior /dog expert witness, Richard Polsky, Ph.D. provides litigation support services to the attorneys in Georgia handling dog bite and dog-related injury cases. View Dr. Polsky's curriculum vitae. Dr. Polsky is lives in Los Angeles, California. However, he will consider assignments from attorneys in Georgia given that most expert witness assignments can be handled - [Dr. Polsky's remarks about fatal dog attack in FL by pack of dogs](https://www.dogexpert.com/dr-polsky-interviewed-about-fatal-dog-attack-in-fl-by-pack-of-dogs/) - Below are portions from the story written by Jeff Burlew that appeared in the Tallahassee Democrat in December 2020. Mr. Berlew interviewed Dr. Polsky about the incident. Dr. Polsky's remarks appear below. 'A nightmare': Jackson County man killed in dog attack was a 'beloved grandfather' by Jeff Burlew Tallahassee Democrat Donald Ray Allen Sr. had - [Dog Bite Expert Witness for Wisconsin Attorneys](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-wisconsin/) - Animal behavior expert witness, Richard Polsky Ph.D. provides legal support and testimony for dog bite attorneys in Wisconsin. Services rendered include but are not limited to report writing, site and dog inspections and deposition and trial testimony. Stories about dog-related personal injury inflicted to humans in Wisconsin which relate to Dr. Polsky's area of expertise - [Animal Behavior Expert Witness for Alaska Dog Bite Attorneys](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-alaska/) - Animal behavior expert witness, Richard Polsky, PhD, has successfully served Alaska dog bite attorneys for the last 20 years. Dr. Polsky's most recent involvement as an expert witness in Alaska happened in 2021 when he was retained by Anchorage plaintiff attorney David Henderson. In this lawsuit, Dr. Polsky produced an expert report stating his opinions - [Hospitalization caused by Alaska dog bite injury](https://www.dogexpert.com/hospitalization-dog-bite-fatalities-in-alaska-1991-2002/) - Recently released epidemiological info from Alaska dog bite data covering the period from 1991 to 2002, shows that Alaska led the nation in hospitalizations caused by dog related injury, and also in dog bite fatalities. During this period, nine people died as a result of being attacked by a canine and 288 were hospitalized for treatment. The interior - [Dog Bite Expert Witness for Attorneys in Oklahoma](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-oklahoma/) - Dog bite expert witness and animal behavior specialist, Richard Polsky, Ph.D. took interest in the dog bite incident mentioned below because of the brutality of the attack by two pit bulls, acting as a pack, which left an elderly man dead. Dr. Polsky presents some basic facts of the event to educate his readership about - [Dog Bite Expert Witness for Colorado Attorneys](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistical-survey-finds-few-dogs-bite-people/) - As a dog bite expert witness for Colorado attorneys, I have become knowledgeable about dog bite statistics and other epidemiological information about personal injury caused by dogs within the state of Colorado. For example, knowledge about dog bites occurring in Colorado must be included in the expert reports I produce for attorneys. Hence, the findings - [Indiana Dog Bite Expert & Animal Behavior Expert Witness](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-indiana/) - Noteworthy dog bite new stories in Indiana that website author and animal behavior expert Dr. Polsky shares with the readership of dogexpert.com. Analysis of dog bites to children in Indiana. A study reported in the March, 2009 issue of the Journal of Trauma, made analysis of children under 18 years of age treated for dog bite - [Utah Dog Bite Expert & Animal Behavior Expert Witness](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-utah/) - Animal behavior expert witness and website author of dogexpert.com, Richard Polsky, Ph.D. shares stories about dog bite incidences in Utah: Pit bull attacks six-year-old in Utah after breaking free from chain Rottweiler attack nets dog bite victim $250,000 in Ogden, Utah _________ Utah dog bite expert, Richard Polsky, PhD welcomes inquiries from Utah attorneys - [Dog Expert Witness: $36 million for Georgia Dog Bite Victim](https://www.dogexpert.com/36-million-in-punitive-damages-for-georgia-dog-bite-victim/) - Dog bite victims receive millions of dollars annually in compensation for injuries they sustained as a result of a dog bite attack. However, a $36 million award was received by one Georgia dog bite victim, as reported by dog bite expert witness Richard Polsky Ph.D. This record-setting award came about as a result of the - [Dog Bite Expert Witness and animal behavior expert for attorneys in Idaho](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-idaho/) - Animal behavior specialist, Richard Polsky, Ph.D. provide services as a dog bite expert witness for attorneys in Idaho. Expert services include but are not limited to property and dog inspections, report writing, deposition testimony and travel to Idaho for trial testimony when required. Idaho, unlike other states like California and Arizona, or Michigan is not - [Dog bite statistics & info for Doberman pincher](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-for-doberman-pincher/) - Airline cargo ban lifted for pit bulls, Rottweilers and Doberman pinschers Doberman kills toddler while being fed a dog biscuit? - [Animal behavior expert witness testimony in Washington](https://www.dogexpert.com/washington-animal-behavior-expert-testimony/) - Dr. Polsky served as the animal behavior expert witness in Washington in the dog bite case that went before a jury in Spokane. Two principal issues were involved in this case: was the plaintiff's injuries caused by a dog bite from the defendant's dog or from her own dog? The second question that needed expert - [New Jersey dog expert witness | Legal services for dog bite attorneys](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-new-jersey/) - New Jersey dog expert witness Richard Polsky Ph.D. provides legal services to attorneys in New Jersey handling dog bite cases and cases about personal injury caused by dogs. Expert witness services rendered by Dr. Polsky include legal consultation, analysis of pit bull maulings, report writing, virtual deposition testimony, courtroom testimony and travel from California when - [Dog Bite Expert Witness for Illinois attorneys](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-illinois/) - Dog bite expert witness for Illinois dog bite attorneys, Richard Polsky Ph.D. ((Dr.Polsky welcomes assignments as the dog expert witness for Illinois dog bite attorneys.)) summarizes noteworthy incidences about dog attacks, dog bites and other animal behavior issues that happen in Illinois. In other parts of this website, visitors can find information on dog bite - [Dog Bite Expert witness in Mississippi | Legal services for Mississippi attorneys](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-mississippi/) - Mississippi dog bite expert witness Richard Polsky Ph.D. provides legal services for Mississippi attorneys involved in dog-related injury cases. Dr. Polsky will consider assignments as an expert witness for Mississippi attorney should the case warrant the retainment of an animal behavior expert witness. Services include legal consultation, virtual deposition testimony, report writing, and courtroom testimony. - [Dog bite post-traumatic stress disorder in children](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bites-posttraumatic-stress-disorder-in-children/) - It is well-established that children are the victims in the vast majority of dog bite attacks. However, what may not be fully appreciated by attorneys is the psychological, emotional and neurological damage that might happened as a result of being severely attacked by a dog. Specifically, conclusive evidence from peer-reviewed studies indicate that children - [Dog bite mauling by boxer dogs in Florida](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-mauling-by-boxer-dogs-in-florida/) - A 84-year-old was savagely mauled after two boxers in Zephyrhills, FL. The date when the incident happened is uncertain, however. News reports indicate that the victim was walking to get his newspaper when the dogs, after having escaped from a nearby property, knocked the victim to the ground, latched on to his arms and legs, - [Dog bite statistics & info for Boxer](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-info-for-boxer/) - Wall and fence jumping in an aggressive Boxer dog Dog mauling by boxer dogs in Florida Fatal dog attack by two boxers on 52-year-old lady while playing with dogs - [Dog Bites by Breed](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bites-by-breed-2/) - Akita Alaskan malamute American bulldog Australian cattle dog Australian Shepherd Belgian Malinos Boerboel Border collie Boxer Brazilian mastiff Bull mastiff Bull terrier Cane Corso Chow chow Cocker spaniel Doberman pinscher French mastiff German Shepherd Golden retriever Great Dane Great Pyrenees Jack Russell Terrier Labrador retriever Pit bulls Police K-9 Presa canario Pomeranian Rhodesian ridgeback Rottweiler - [Retired police canine in California viciously attacks good Samaritan](https://www.dogexpert.com/retired-police-canine-california-viciously-attacks-good-samaritan/) - A July 2016 dog bite incident involving a retired police K-9 in Riverside, California provides another example illustrating the potentially dangerous and unpredictable nature of canines trained for suspect apprehension by the police. Elsewhere on this website, I provide other examples about the inherently dangerous nature of police canines trained in suspect apprehension. However, the example - [Dog bite statistics & info for Rottweilers](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-for-rottweilers/) - Jury awards $150K for Rottweiler attack on veterinary technician in Virginia New Jersey boy lucky to survive vicious Rottweiler dog bite attack Fatal dog bite attack by chained Rottweiler on a toddler in Florida Rottweiler mauling nets $250K for dog bite victim in Utah $500,000 punitive damage award for Rottweiler dog bite case in - [Rottweiler dog bite attack in Pennsylvania settles for $130,000](https://www.dogexpert.com/rottweiler-dog-bite-attack-pennsylvania/) - A Rottweiler attack which occurred in 2009 in Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania settled in 2012 for $130,000. The victim was a four-year-old girl. She was bitten in the face, which required 50 stitches, and subsequently revision surgery was performed. The incident happened when the child attended a party with her family, and another guest brought the - [Dog bite statistics and info for American Bulldog](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-for-american-bulldog/) - The American bulldog, developed from the mastiff line, is a large, muscular dog. Dogs commonly weigh over 90 pounds. In recent years, the American bulldog has become a popular companion animal, and with this has come a dramatic increase the incidence of dog attacks on people by this breed. This author knows of no specific - [Dog bite statistics & info for Bull mastiffs](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-info-for-bull-mastiffs/) - 75-year-old lady mauled to death by a bull mastiff in Hot Springs, Arkansas Fatal dog attack by mixed bull mastiff dogs on a 57-year-old lady in Dayton Ohio, February 2014 $1.1 million in record settlement in serious bull mastiff dog bite attack in Illinois Fatal dog attack by bull mastiff on a 13-year-old boy in - [Dog bite statistics and info for Labrador retriever](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-and-info-for-labrador-retriever/) - Labrador retriever viciously attacks eight-year-old girl in face Port Richie, Florida Dog bite fatality in Texas led by labrador retriever dog pack - [Dog Bite News in Nevada](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-nevada/) - In this section of dogexpert.com, Nevada dog bite expert Richard Polsky, PhD, lists news stories most relevant to Nevada personal injury attorneys handling dog bite cases. Stories relevant to animal behavior issues which interface with legal issues, such as provocation, assumption of risk and foreseeability, will be given emphasis. A Nevada dog bite incident which - [Dog Bite Injury pictures](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-injury-photos-reconstruction/) - The dog bite injury photos Dr. Polsky maintains of injuries sustained by dog bite victims is a unique collection. Privacy issues prohibit the publication and distribution of most of the photos in this collection. Reconstruction of a dog bite incident frequently becomes necessary in dog bite litigation and reasonably good photos of the physical features - [Pain elicited aggression in dog bite lawsuits](https://www.dogexpert.com/pain-elicited-aggression-dog-bite-lawsuits/) - The motivation behind a dog’s aggressive reactivity needs to be carefully considered if one suspects pain to be the impetus behind a dog bite attack.Certain behavioral criteria should be used to make a differential diagnosis. Information about the following is usually relevant: (a) The context in which the incident happened; (b) The behavioral history of - [Dog Bite on Child Statistics | Dog Bite Expert Review](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-on-child-statistics-dog-bite-expert-review/) - Dog bite injuries inflicted on children have long been recognized as a serious public health problem. Moreover, despite many efforts at dog bite prevention and education aimed mainly at children, the frequency at which children are attacked and bitten by dogs remain at alarmingly high rates. In this post, I will briefly review some studies - [Dog Bite News in California](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-california/) - This section of dogexpert.com present summaries of noteworthy incidences in which people have been bitten by dogs in California. About 4.5 million people are bitten annually United States by dogs. However, only a small percentage of these instances result in serious damage to the victim, whether physical or psychological. Nonetheless, a large number of dog - [Pit bull behavior: Answers to 10 critical questions](https://www.dogexpert.com/10-critical-questions-about-pit-bull-behavior/) - 1. Are pit bulls genetically predisposed to aggression or does their behavior depend on they way they have been raised? This is the quintessential question about nature versus nurture. Fundamentally, the tendency for a pit bull, or any breed of dog, to engage in certain types of of aggressive behavior depends on interaction between the - [What behaviors trigger facial dog bites to humans?](https://www.dogexpert.com/facial-dog-bites-humans/) - Dog bites to the face of a person often result in a lawsuit filed against the dog owner. Lawsuits are warranted in part because serious facial dog bites are often traumatizing and devastating to the victim, particularly if the victim is a child. Millions of dollars are spent annually in the United States for surgical - [Animal behavior issues for the Nevada dog bite expert witness](https://www.dogexpert.com/nevada-dog-bite-expert/) - Retaining a Nevada dog bite expert witness may be advantageous for personal injury attorneys if liability in a lawsuit is contested. A dog bite expert can proffer animal behavior opinions on issues such as provocation, assumption of risk, and foreseeability. These issues may be of importance in some dog bite lawsuits in Nevada given that Nevada - [Expert opinion about foreseeability and punitive damages in a California dog bite lawsuit](https://www.dogexpert.com/expert-opinion-punitive-damages-california-dog-bite-lawsuit/) - Expert opinion about foreseeability and punitive damages are issues that often arise in dog bite litigation. For example, even in a strict liability state like California, and in other states like Nevada where common law applies, the plaintiff may make a claim for punitive damages if there is sufficient reason to believe that the dog was - [Animal behavior, excessive force and bite and hold police K-9s | Part I](https://www.dogexpert.com/animal-behavior-excessive-force-bite-hold-police-k9s/) - Dogs were first used by the police in the early 1900s, and by the 1950s the modern era of police dog use was underway in the United States. Since then police dogs have served as a tool for detection and identification and as a weapon to fight crime. They are now widely used for search - [Expert opinion about the California dog bite statute](https://www.dogexpert.com/expert-opinion-california-dog-bite-statute/) - California dog bite law (Civil Code 3342) specifies that a dog owner be held legally liable for damages if their dog bites and injures another person. In select cases, expert opinion from a properly qualified dog bite expert may be needed when the statue is invoked by the plaintiff. In any given lawsuit, questions about - [Florida jury renders $1.26 million verdict in Akita dog bite case](https://www.dogexpert.com/akita-dog-bite-expert-florida/) - An elderly lady was awarded $1.26 million by jury in 2002 as a result of being mauled on her left foot by an Akita at a dog show in Melbourne Florida. Dr. Polsky served as the Akita dog bite expert in this case. Akitas are a large size dog weighing upwards to 120 lbs. They - [Homeowner insurance companies blacklist certain breeds of dog](https://www.dogexpert.com/some-insurance-companies-blacklist-breeds/) - Suffering substantial losses from dog bite injury claims in the last two decades, insurance underwriting policies have changed with respect to coverage for injury inflicted by a homeowner's dog. Typically homeowners were covered regardless of breed or if the dog was involved in a single biting incident. Now, coverage may not be given if a - [Fatal dog attacks on children on swings](https://www.dogexpert.com/fatal-dog-attacks-on-swings/) - Parents with infants need to be particularly careful when leaving their child unsupervised on a swing in the presence of the family dog. This warning comes as result of a study published in 2006. Children may be attacked and killed because of predatory inclinations in dogs. Some dogs are easily enticed into displaying predatory behavior, - [Layla and Mojo](https://www.dogexpert.com/layla-and-mojo/) - Layla Mojo - [Animal behavior expert opinion on assumption of risk in dog bite lawsuits](https://www.dogexpert.com/animal-behavior-expert-opinion-on-assumption-of-risk-in-dog-bite-lawsuits/) - Assumption of risk is a defense against liability that may be used been in personal injury dog bite lawsuits in California and Arizona and in other states that are "strict liability" states. In essence, assumption of risk means that the victim had foreknowledge that dog bite injury could be inflicted if the choice were made - [Expert witness opinion about police dog bite attacks on innocent bystanders](https://www.dogexpert.com/canine-dog-bite-attack-by-police-dogs-on-innocent-bystanders/) - Richard Polsky, Ph.D., an expert witness on police dog bites, investigated 30 cases of dog bite attack by a police K9 on an innocent bystander. The results of his investigation and his expert opinion about the dangerous nature of police K9 are presented below. Background information about dog bites inflicted on innocent bystanders by police - [Statistics & factors affecting risk for dog bite injury in Florida](https://www.dogexpert.com/statistics-factors-affecting-risk-for-dog-bite-injury-in-florida/) - Epidemiological and statistical data which describe dog bite injury can facilitate the implementation of public health policies and dog bite prevention strategies. For example, if statistics show that most dog bites happen near the territory of the dog to familiar children of a certain age group or gender, then safety measures can be implemented targeting - [Animal Behavior Expert for Dog Custody Divorce Disputes](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-custody-disputes/) - Animal behavior expert opinion may be of value in cases involving custody disputes over a pet. Of particular significance, Courts are now more likely to recognize the strong emotional attachment owners have to their pets and therefore are inclined to make decisions on where an animal should live based on the best interest of the - [Dog Bite Statistics for Letter Carriers](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-for-postal-letter-carriers/) - Dog bite risk to letter carriers is well recognized by the United States Postal Service. Given this, the USPS have made efforts to lessen the problem through education and information dissemination, particularly in conjunction with the American Veterinary Medical Association. For example, annually in the United Stated a week in the Spring is set aside - [Dog bite fatality in Illinois by French bulldog?](https://www.dogexpert.com/french-bulldog-fatal-dog-attack/) - It is very surprising when one one learns of a French bulldog possibly being implicated in a fatal dog attack. Nonetheless, tragically, this reportedly happened in an incident which brought an end to the life for 52-year-old Lisa Urso. The incident happened in in Fox Lake, Illinois in May 2020, according to multiple news sources. - [Dog bite news in Alabama](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-alabama/) - Four-year-old girl killed by unrestrained German Shepherd mix dog in Tallahassee, Alabama Additional information about dog bites by breed, dog bite lawsuit awards and information about dog attacks in other US states can be found elsewhere on the website. - [Attorney Directory Submission Form](https://www.dogexpert.com/attorney-directory-submission-form/) - [contact-form-7 id="27175" title="Attorney Directory"] - [Negligence by the police K-9 handler?](https://www.dogexpert.com/negligence-police-k9-attack/) - On Super Bowl Sunday my client went to the John C. Lincoln Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona because he drank to much and feared alcohol poisoning. His last recollection was arriving in the parking lot of the hospital, as he does not recall the K9 attack. According to the limited police report, he was accused of - [Arkansas dog expert witness | Legal services for dog bite attorneys](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-arkansas/) - Arkansas dog expert witness Richard Polsky Ph.D. provides legal services to Arkansas attorneys involved in dog bite litigation. Dr. Polsky is California-based expert witness. He provides cost-effective services for attorneys in Arkansas. Services include legal consultation, report writing, virtual deposition testimony, courtroom testimony and travel if necessary. News stories about dog attacks in Arkansas Pit - [Dog bite statistics & info for Belgian Malinois](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-info-for-belgian-malinois/) - Please check back, content forthcoming for dog bite statistics and info for Belgian Malinois - [Dog expert opinion on the most aggressive dog breeds](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-expert-opinion-on-the-most-aggressive-breeds/) - As a dog expert, I am frequently asked to opine the most aggressive breeds of dog. Many seek answers to this question. Not surprisingly, however, there are reasons why this apparently simple question cannot be answered in a straightforward manner. First, the term "aggression" can mean different things to different people. What may seem to be a - [Verdict against landlord for $992,000 for negligence in dog knock down in California](https://www.dogexpert.com/982000-verdict-against-landlord-for-negligence-in-dog-knock-down-case/) - California tort law specifies that the property owner must have prior actual knowledge about the dangerous nature of a dog living on the property in order to be strictly liable for damages sustained by a person attacked by that dog. This standard has been revisited several times in recent California appellate rulings, and the latest - [Expert advice on dangerous dog hearing for an Akita in Los Angeles, CA](https://www.dogexpert.com/dangerous-dog-hearing-akita-los-angeles-california/) - My husband and I are heading to a Los Angeles dangerous dog hearing after our 2 year-old American Akita killed our neighbor’s 14 year-old Poodle last Sunday. We had unidentified termite damage in our fence gate which he was able to break. The Poodle was on a 25 ft. retractable leash being walked by his - [Dog Bite Expert Witness in Maryland | Dog Bite News](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-maryland/) - 87-year-old man killed by family pit bull as he was taking down his Christmas tree 56-year-old invalid attacked and killed by pit bull in Baltimore City, Maryland Dog bite lawsuit awards More news stores about dog bites in the USA. - [Colorado Dog Expert Witness | Dog Bite News](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-colorado/) - Colorado dog expert witness, Richard Polsky, Ph.D. has in providing legal services to Colorado attorneys since 1993. Dr. Polsky welcomes inquiries from attorneys handling cases involving personal injury caused by dogs. The expert services Dr. Polsky provides Colorado attorneys includes consultation, report writing, and obviously testimony when needed. And, although he is based in California, - [Expert opinion on French mastiff dog bite fatality in Illinois](https://www.dogexpert.com/french-mastiff-dog-bite-fatality-in-illinois/) - There are relatively few instances of fatal dog attacks involving other mastiff breeds, however. Thus it caught my attention when I read a report about a French mastiff being implicated in a dog like to tell it in Illinois. Some might remember that the French mastiff came into the spotlight when it was used in - [How much is a Pomeranian worth?](https://www.dogexpert.com/how-much-is-a-pomeranian-worth/) - Q. I am defense counsel in a case where my clients' dogs escape their dog run, head on to the neighboring property and kill a Pomeranian 1 year old. The Pomeranian was obtained from Pure Breeders LLC and had extensive training from Lorezno's Dog Training Team in Ohio. The main issue I am facing is - [Hard to believe dog bite fatalities by pack of dogs in Georgia](https://www.dogexpert.com/hard-believe-dog-bite-fatalities-pack-of-dogs-georgia/) - The grave danger a pack of dogs presents to public safety was clearly demonstrated in two dog bite fatalities that happened in northern Georgia in August 2009. In the first instance, a dog pack of about a dozen individuals was roaming in a rural area. This pack of dogs encountered an elderly lady on a hike. The details of what happened - [Punitive damages in dog bite & dog related injury lawsuits](https://www.dogexpert.com/animal-behavior-punitive-damages-in-dog-bite-cases/) - Proving punitive damages in a dog bite cases requires a standard which specifies that the dog was managed or handled in a despicable or malicious manner. Generally speaking, counsel for the plaintiff need to establish that: The dog was dangerous by nature given its past behavioral history; The incident was foreseeable; The standard of care - [Expert Opinion on Breed-Specific Legislation](https://www.dogexpert.com/statistical-analysis-of-effectiveness-of-breed-specific-legislation/) - Because of the ubiquitous presence of dogs in society, inevitably people on some occasions well find themselves proximate to a dog, whether it be by their own choosing or not. Given the ever present opportunity for contact and interaction between dogs and people, and given the vast differences in behavioral reactivity between dogs, it is - [Dog Bite News in Hawaii](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-hawaii/) - $500,000 award in punitive damages for Rottweiler attack in Kahala - [Dog bite statistics & info for Cocker spaniel](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-information-for-cocker-spaniel/) - Content about dog bite attacks involving the cocker spaniel forthcoming - [Dog bite statistics & info for Chow Chow](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-info-for-the-chow-chow/) - Please revisit, content forthcoming for dog bite statistics and information for the Chow chow - [Dog bite statstics & info for Bull Terriers](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-info-for-bull-terriers/) - Does dog bite assumption of risk hold when pet sitter bitten by Bull Terriers in Wisconsin? Children bitten most often by bull terriers and Jack Russells in Australia - [Dog bite statistics & info for Brazilian mastiff](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-info-for-brazilian-mastiff/) - Fatal dog attack in Ontario, Canada by Filia Brasiliero? - [Dog bite statistics and info for Border collie](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-and-info-for-border-collie/) - Border collie inflicts facial dog bite to face a 16-year-old: An case of provocation? - [Dog bite statistics & info for Australian shepherd](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-info-for-the-austrailian-shepherd/) - Please revisit, content forthcoming for dog bite statistics and info for the Australian Shepherd - [Dog bite statistics and info for Australian cattle dog](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-and-info-for-australian-cattle-dog/) - Content forthcoming for dog bite statistics and info for the Australian cattle dog - [Dog bite statistics & info for Alaskan malamute](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-info-for-alaskan-malamute/) - Content forthcoming about dog bite statistics and info for the Alaskan malamute - [Dog behavior expert opinion about discovery collection in Nevada dog bite lawsuits](https://www.dogexpert.com/animal-behavior-expert-opinion-discovery-collection-dog-bite-lawsuits/) - In this article Nevada dog behavior expert, Richard Polsky, PhD opines about the collection of evidence to substantiate or refute the notion that the defendant had knowledge about a dog's dangerous propensities. The collection of meaningful discovery is particularly important states that have no strict liability for dog bites, such as Nevada. The key question is - [Animal behavior expert opinion about a dog's "state-of-mind"?](https://www.dogexpert.com/can-animal-behavior-expert-testify-dogs-state-mind/) - As an animal behavior expert I objectively look at the causation and motivation of dog behavior in relation to environmental factors and circumstantial evidence. Given this perspective, I have always believed that the concept of a dog's "mind" was too subjective a concept to consider in the animal behavioral analysis of dog bite cases. My - [Pit bull dog bite expert opinion about dog bite injury inflicted by pit bulls](https://www.dogexpert.com/pit-bull-dog-bite-expert/) - As a pit bull dog bite expert, I strongly oppose breed-specific legislation. Given this, I feel compelled to make my readers aware of a dog bite study published in 2011 which cogently argued that pit bulls inflict more severe dog bite injury to people when compared with other breeds (Mortality, mauling, and maiming by vicious dogs. J. Bini, S. Cohn, - [The San Francisco Dog Mauling | Animal Behavior Expert Opinion](https://www.dogexpert.com/san-francisco-dog-mauling/) - The San Francisco dog mauling is about the tragic death of 33-year-old all-american lacross player, Diane Whipple. Whipple’s death immediately became a national news story. The bizarre nature of the circumstances surrounding the case was well-publicized. Moreover, Whipple was a popular and attractive gay person in a socially reactive and pro-gay San Francisco. Two massive - [Cat Bite Expert Witness](https://www.dogexpert.com/cat-bite-expert-witness/) - In addition to his work as a dog bite expert, Richard Polsky, PhD is a qualified cat bite expert. In this section of dogexpert.com, Dr. Polsky presents information about cat bites that might help attorneys better understand this area of litigation. Relevant animal behavior information that might prove relevant in cat bite litigation is sparse - [Breed differences affect a dog's aggression to unfamiliar people](https://www.dogexpert.com/breed-differences-affect-dog-aggression/) - A frequently asked question in dog bite lawsuits is whether breed differences between dogs was a factor contributing to the incident in question. This makes sense from the perspective of the plaintiff. For example, one argument for the plaintiff would be that the defendant dog owner or property owner should have known about the dangerous nature of - [San Francisco California dog bite statistics](https://www.dogexpert.com/san-francisco-california-dog-bite-statistics/) - Given that I am a dog bite expert from California, I'm partial to dog bite statistics relevant to this state. Hence, when I came across a rather obscure, but nevertheless interesting study about the frequency of dog bites in San Francisco, I wanted to share this information with my readers. This information appeared in - [Excessive force in attack-trained police K-9's](https://www.dogexpert.com/excessive-force-police-k9/) - Dogs were first used by the police in the early 1900s, and by the 1950s the modern era of police dog use was underway in the United States (Dorriety, Police Service Dogs in the Use-of-Force Continuum (2005) 16 Criminal Justice Policy Review 88). Since then police dogs have served as a tool for detection and - [Florida man mauled by pet monkey](https://www.dogexpert.com/florida-man-attacked-by-pet-monkey/) - Jimmy Schwall and his wife raised their pet monkey, a 9 y.o macaque named JayJay, from the age of three weeks, and treated him like he was beloved a family member. JayJay was treated by Schwall and his wife as if JayJay was their child. JayJay was dressed in children's clothing and put in diapers, - [Study finds children bitten most often by bull terriers and Jack russells in Australia](https://www.dogexpert.com/children-bitten-often-bull-terriers-jack-russells-australia/) - According to a study published in the Journal Pediatrics and Child Health, Jack russell terriers and bull terriers were responsible for inflicting a staggering 30% of the total number of dog bites inflicted to 277 children presented at the emergency ward for dog bite injury. Further findings showed that 92% of the victim were bitten in the home - [Dog bite expert opinion about a vicious attack on a 4 y.o. by a police canine in CA.](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-expert-opinion-vicious-attack-police-k9/) - I have been frequently called upon to testify about the inherently dangerous nature of police canines as a dog bite expert. And I have opined about the difficulty K-9 handlers have in controlling these kinds of dogs. Not surprisingly my testimony has been questioned by the handlers themselves, who at times serve as opposing expert witnesses. - [Further evidence for dangerous nature of police canine in Florida](https://www.dogexpert.com/dangerous-police-canine/) - Previously on this website I have written about the unreliable and dangerous nature of police canines trained in suspect apprehension. Further evidence supporting my belief of the dangerous nature of these dogs comes from in incident in which a innocent bystander was attacked in February 2015 in Coconut Creek Florida. The police canine involved in - [Expert witness opinion about the high rate of fatal dog attacks in Texas](https://www.dogexpert.com/texas-leads-nation-in-fatal-dog-bite-attacks/) - The number of dog bite fatalities that happen annually in the United States is widely reported on the Internet. Most websites state that approximately 25-40 people are killed by dogs each year in the United States, and most of the fatalities are inflicted upon the elderly or children, and most often by pit bull type - [Expert opinion about temperament tests and predatory aggression in dogs](https://www.dogexpert.com/expert-opinion-temperament-testing-predatory-aggression/) - Temperament tests are widely used to determine the "adoptability" of shelter dogs. Popular temperament test currently in use include the"EthoTest", the SPCA "SAFER." test, the "Am I Safe" test, and Amy Marder's Assessment Protocol". Individual shelters may have preference for one test over the other. However, Regardless of the test chosen, all are designed - [Pit bull mauling in California: Dog bite expert opinion](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-expert-opinion-pit-bull-mauling-in-california/) - Below, I share the correspondence received from an extremely distraught owner as a result of the vicious pit bull mauling in California. In this incident, the owner and his wife lost their beloved dog. JP writes: My wife and I with our dog Sherman were out for a walk in the evening around 5:00 pm. Sherman - [Landlord Dog Bite Liability in a California Pit Bull Attack](https://www.dogexpert.com/landlord-dog-bite-liability-california/) - Dogs with aggressive tendencies who reside on a rented property raise serious legal concerns for property owners. Property owners need to be concerned about landlord dog bite liability. Aggressive dogs pose implications for landlord dog bite liability, and this may not be entirely realized by the landlord or his agents. Example of Landlord Dog Bite Liability Such danger - [Excessive force by a police K-9 in Arizona](https://www.dogexpert.com/excessive-force-police-k9-arizona/) - As an individual trained in the science of animal behavior, I have a strong desire to share my expertise and knowledge about the inherently dangerous nature of attack-trained police canines, and the excessive force they deliver when they bite a suspect. There is a need for this because the police are usually reticent and not - [Study finds dog bites by stray dogs serious problem in Dallas, Texas](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bites-by-stray-dogs-dallas-texas/) - Research has demonstrated that people living in areas areas of low socioeconomic status are bitten and attacked by dogs more frequently than people in neighborhoods of greater affluence. This in part prompted a study documenting the frequency of dog bites by stray dogs onto people living in the southern Dallas, Texas. The southern part of Dallas contains - [Why the high frequency of fatal dog bite attacks in So. California?](https://www.dogexpert.com/why-the-high-frequency-of-fatal-dog-bite-attacks-in-so-california/) - Fatal dog attacks and severe dog maulings on people happen in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, California at alarmingly high rates. As an animal behavior dog bite expert, I have known about this for quite some time and now report on another fatal dog attack happened in September, 2015. Previously, on this website I reported - [Predatory dog bite attack by dog packs in California, Texas, Georgia, Ohio](https://www.dogexpert.com/predatory-dog-bite-attack-by-dog-packs-in-california-texas-georgia-ohi/) - People who are alone are probably at greater risk of being severely attacked and possibly killed by a pack of dogs. This is particularly true if a person encounters a pack of dogs in an isolated setting. The combination of factors that make this possible is threefold: the presence of a pack of dogs, an - [Dog Bite Statistics Indiana](https://www.dogexpert.com/indiana-dog-bite-statistics-2012-2/) - According to State Farm Insurance, Indiana ranked #7 on the State Farm list of the top 10 states with the most dog bite incidents and litigation In February, 2012 a 91-year-old lady was killed by the family pit bull in a Hemet, California motel where her family was staying prior to relocating to a new - [The 10 most important pieces of evidence to collect in dog bite litigation](https://www.dogexpert.com/collection-of-forensic-evidence-in-dog-bite-cases/) - The meaningful collection of forensic evidence is essential in dog bite litigation when the identity of the dog cannot be accurately determined. This could happen because the victim is unable to accurately identify the dog, or because the dog left the scene after the attack happened. Identifying the dog involved in an incident also becomes problematic if - [Alberta dog expert witness | Legal services for dog bite attorneys](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-alberta/) - Dog expert witness Richard Polsky, Ph.D. is available for assignments as an expert in Alberta and throughout Canada from attorneys handling cases involving personal-injury caused by dogs. Dr. Polsky is California-based but will gladly consider assignments from attorneys in Canada. Legal service provided include but are not limited to documentation review, report writing and if - [Qualifications of dog trainers vs. animal behaviorists](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-trainers-vs-animal-behaviorists-as-dog-bite-expert/) - Attorneys need to realize that an animal behaviorist differs from the dog trainer in terms of the qualifications and knowledge serving as an animal bite expert. The differences between the two professions are often not appreciated by attorneys seeking an animal bite expert for expert opinion in their lawsuit. In this article, I briefly outline these differences. - [Alaskan malamute certificate of appreciation received by Dr. Polsky](https://www.dogexpert.com/alaskan-malamute-certificate/) - [Did the dog possess dangerous tendencies?](https://www.dogexpert.com/dangerous-versus-vicious-dogs-in-dog-bite-lawsuits/) - In dog bite lawsuits attorneys frequently use the term "vicious" and "dangerous" interchangeably as though both meant the same. However, from an animal behavior perspective a vicious dog is not necessarily the same as a dangerous dog. For example, vicious or viciousness is it descriptor. The term most accurately be used to describe the nature and physical features of - [Value of a photograph at a dog bite trial?](https://www.dogexpert.com/value-of-a-photograph-at-a-dog-bite-trial/) - Q. I am a 2nd year law student at the University of Saskatchewan College of Law. A number of my peers and I have been having a hypothetical discussion regarding a dog suspected of being responsible for the mauling of a child. The dog has died prior to trial. The question involves the relevance of - [Wisconsin dog bite statistics](https://www.dogexpert.com/wisconsin-dog-bite-statistics/) - Epidemiological studies on dog bites have generated findings that have the potential of generalizing to most geographical areas in the United States. For example, many studies have shown that children are disproportionately the victims of dog bite attack, and usually the child knew the dog. - [Wolf hybrids ruled dangerous by Canadian Court](https://www.dogexpert.com/wolf-hybrids-ruled-dangerous-by-canadian-court/) - Below is the judgement renderd in Municipal Court in British Columbia about a case involving an attack on a lady by a Wolf hybrid. Dr. Polsky testified at trial and served as the expert in this case for the plaintiff. The judge ruled based on the particulars of the case that the owners were not - [Wolf Hybrids: Are they suitable as pets?](https://www.dogexpert.com/wolf-hybrids-are-they-suitable-as-pets-2/) - This peer-reviewed article, authored by Dr. Polsky, was published in the December, 1995 issue of Veterinary Medicine. The conclusions drawn in this article and the bases for these conclusions are no different today than what they were nearly 25 years ago. Small animal practitioners are probably aware of the increasingly popular trend of keeping wolf - [Photograph illustrates typical physical characteristics of dog bite injury](https://www.dogexpert.com/photograph-illustrates-typical-physical-characteristics-dog-bite-injury/) - In dog bite lawsuits questions occasionally arise about whether or not the injury sustained by the plaintiff was caused by the biting behavior of a dog. This is particularly true if the dog has never bitten a person before, had a docile temperament, and the circumstances present at the time of the incident were - [Pit bull smothers infant to death in Ohio?](https://www.dogexpert.com/pit-bull-smothers-infant-to-death/) - Anecdotal accounts exist about household cats supposedly smothering infants to death. To some extent these accounts may be true, although it should be carefully noted that no published accounts that appear in the animal behavior literature that substantiate these kinds of occurrences. Statistics are not readily available on the Internet, but it is possible that - [Pit bull dog bite attack on commercial property in California](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-attack-by-pit-bull-on-commercial-property-in-california/) - Pit bull dog bite attacks frequently are newsworthy events in part because the dog bite injuries inflicted by this kind of dog onto people are often severe, and occasionally fatal. In this post, I described a severe attack on the 25 y.o. plumber who was visiting a plumbing supply yard on business. After he entered - [Newspaper stories about dog bite expert Richard Polsky, Ph.D.](https://www.dogexpert.com/newspaper-stories-about-dog-bite-expert-richard-polsky-ph-d/) - Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Times edition for San Gabriel Valley,CA. TV Guide Los Angeles Herald Examiner Santa Monica Evening Outlook Long Beach Press Telegram Cats Magazine San Gabriel Valley Tribune Picture Week Magazine Los Angeles Times (1983) Back To Top San Gabriel Valley edition of the Los Angeles Times (1998) Back - [Newborn infant mauled to death in bizarre dog bite incident](https://www.dogexpert.com/newborn-infant-mauled-to-death-in-bizarre-dog-bite-incident/) - Dog bites inflicted onto humans occasionally result in severe injury and at timeseven death, and in many incidents the situations and reasons why dogs attack humans show common features; for example, territorial defense, provocation, a dog suddenly becoming frightened, owner negligence, etc. A rather different and bizarre incident involving fatal dog attack on a newborn - [Knock down in dog park in New Jersey](https://www.dogexpert.com/knock-down-in-dog-park-in-new-jersey/) - The plaintiff was knocked down and severely injured by a rambunctious, playful eight month old, 110 lb. English mastiff. No bite occurred but the plaintiff broke her leg due to the impact of this exceptionally large dog. Dr. Polsky was retained by plaintiff's counsel. Questions Dr. Polsky addressed in this action with concern the danger a - [Great Dane dog bite attack on child in Wisconsin pet store](https://www.dogexpert.com/great-dane-dog-bite-attack-on-child-in-wisconsin-pet-store/) - Inquiry To Dr. Polsky My son was recently bitten by a Great dane on his face and head at a local pet friendly store in Appleton, WI. The incident happened as follows: My husband, 17-month-old son, and myself were waiting in line at Pet Supplies Plus. My son and I walked over to pet a - [Fate of pit bull after dog bite to attack in Oyster Bay, NY](https://www.dogexpert.com/fate-of-pit-bull-in-oyster-bay-ny/) - Q. I have a situation that is just appalling to me as a dog lover and a professional. I was called in on a case around February from a Mrs. Joan Lang. The Langs now have 6 month old Madison and they have Micky. Micky is approximately 3 years old, male, neutered pit possibly boxer mix. He - [Fatal dog bite in Nevada triggered by possessive aggression in a pit bull](https://www.dogexpert.com/fatal-dog-bite-in-nevada-triggered-by-possession-aggression-in-a-pit-bull/) - Animal behavior experts know that some dogs will guard their food bowl, and that many dog bite incidences have happened when a child or toddler approaches a dog while it is eating. In canine behavioral science, this type of aggression has traditionally been categorized as "possessive" aggression. From a non-technical perspective, the dog "guards" the food bowl. - [Fatal Dog Bite from Predatory Dog](https://www.dogexpert.com/predatory-aggressive-dog-kills-infant-in-bassinet/) - Excerpted from a report by Victoria L. Voith in the publication entitled "Procedures for introducing a baby to a dog." Complete article can be found in Modern Veterinary Practice, 1984, July, 539-541. "One unfortunate case involves a dog with no known history aggression to people. However, the dog had an unusual background. The original owners - [Fatal dog bite attacks on infants in swings](https://www.dogexpert.com/infant-swings-associated-with-fatal-dog-attacks/) - Fatal dog attacks on humans in the United States happen on approximately 25-35 occasions each year. Those with an interest in this topic can follow instances of dog related human fatalities in the United States by visiting Google News and searching with the appropriate keywords. In most communities in the United States, as well as - [Fatal dog attack stories](https://www.dogexpert.com/montel-williams-on-dangerous-dog/) - Guests describe their experiences with dogs who have injured or killed Transcription from Montel Williams Show: February 20, 2004WILLIAMS: Welcome, welcome, welcome, and thank you so much for joining us today. You know, would you know if your pet was capable of, let's say, harming someone or even killing another person? Take a look at - [Fatal dog attacks US 2009](https://www.dogexpert.com/fatal-dog-attacks-in-the-usa-2009/) - Georgia: 5 y.o. girl by 3 family pit bulls in backyard of her home. It was reported that the child was playing on a trampoline at the time of the attack, and the attack was initiated by one of the pit bulls, and the other two pit bulls, reportedly chained, broke their chains and joined in - [Fatal dog attacks US 2007](https://www.dogexpert.com/fatal-dog-attacks-in-the-usa-200/) - Dog bite related fatality statistics for 2007: 40 incidents Alabama (January) Texas (January) Virgina (January) Missouri (January) Tennessee (February) Georgia (February) Texas (March ) Texas (March) South Carolina (April) Georgia (May) Texas (May ) Texas (May) Flordia (May) Flordia (June) Indiana (June) Flordia (July) West Virgina (July) Georgia (July) New York (July) Kansas (July) Texas - [Fatal dog attacks US 2006](https://www.dogexpert.com/fatal-dog-attacks-in-the-usa-2006/) - Dog bite fatalities in the United States happened relatively infrequently when compared with other causes of mortal fatalities fatality, such as gunshot wound, car accidents,and electrocution. Pit bulls and Rottweilers have been consistently implicated in dog bite fatalities, and this can be explained solely through their powerful musculature and assumed bite force. This statistical finding - [Fatal dog attacks in the USA 2005](https://www.dogexpert.com/29-reported-dog-bite-human-fatalities-in-the-united-states-in-2005/) - 29 dog bite fatalities and USA in 2005 California (January) Alabama (February) Illinois (February) Virginia (March) Texas (March) Michigan (April) Virginia (April) Georgia (April) Ohio (April) South Carolina (May) Colorado (May) Missouri (May) Michigan (May) Indiana (May) West Virginia (May) California (June) Georgia (July) Indiana (July) Rhode Island (July) California (August) Virginia (October) Georgia (October) - [Fatal dog attack on indian reservation in Canada](https://www.dogexpert.com/fatal-dog-attack-on-indian-reservation-in-canada/) - Fatal dog attacks in Canada happen at a substantially lower frequency when compared with United States, and when they do happen the circumstances also seem to be different. For example, one principal difference is that in Canada there are disproportionally more fatal attacks inflicted by packs of dogs. A case in point is a fatal dog - [Dog Bite News in Canada](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-canada/) - Fatal dog attack by Siberian Husky on two-day-old infant in Alberta Did a fatal dog attack happened by Fila Brasileiro in Hamilton, Ontario - [Fatal dog attack by a pack of dogs](https://www.dogexpert.com/fatal-dog-attack-by-a-pack-of-dogs/) - Groups of dogs (often referred to as a “pack” of dogs) have frequently been implicated in fatal attacks on humans. In one case in Philadelphia that occurred in the early eighties, a group of five household dogs ganged up and and mauled to death a 81 y.o. invalid lady. Animal behaviorist, Victoria Voith, DVM an investigator - [Rottweiler attack on human and the taste of blood](https://www.dogexpert.com/taste-blood-make-attack-rottweiler-likely/) - Q. My son, Alexander, is a Staff Sergeant in the US Army. He was deployed in February. A month or so ago his wife informed them that they were getting a divorce. Last week my 18-year-old son and I drove to Oklahoma, helped her pack, closed up the house, put her on a plane and - [Dog Bite Victim: Send info to Dr. Polsky](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-victims/) - Dog bite victims who would like to share information about their experience with others, please complete the form below, and it will be transmitted to dog bite expert Dr. Polsky for review. If you would like details of your case presented on this website, minus your identity, please indicate your desire in the form. Sharing information - [Dog bite statistics & info for Siberian Husky](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-by-statistics-info-for-siberian-husky/) - Siberian husky dog bite to 10 y.o. at school bus stop in California Siberian Huskies join list of breeds blacklisted by insurance companies Fatal dog attacks on infants in Minnesota and Alberta, Canada by Siberian Huskies - [Lawsuit claims exclusion for dog bite coverage to household members](https://www.dogexpert.com/lawsuit-claims-exclusion-for-dog-bite-coverage-to-household-members/) - According to Farmers Insurance, members living in the same household are excluded from an insured's liability coverage for dog bite injuries. A case in point is recent litigation filed by the father on behalf of his daughter in Illinois (Pluger v. Lindstrom) stemmingfrom a July 2009 dog bite incident. The daughter and her mother were - [Dog bite insurance claims in 2008](https://www.dogexpert.com/33-of-homeowners-insurance-liability-claims-in-2008-were-for-dog-bites/) - 2008 statistics released by the Insurance Information Institute indicates that one third of all liability claims filed by homeowners are dog bite related. Compared with 2007 statistics, the number of claims in 2008 rose nearly 9% from 14,531 to 15,823. Insurance companies paid out $387.2 million in 2008 up nearly 9% from a $356.2 million - [Intoxicated Lady Suffers from a Dog Bite in Michigan](https://www.dogexpert.com/intoxicated-lady-suffers-dog-bite-in-michigan/) - Q. My dog bit a woman while being tied up in my back yard, the woman not only was trespassing because she entered the yard uninvited and unannounced, she was told not to go by my dog the first time she entered the yard, this same woman was 3 times the legal limit of what a person - [Injury can happen from being pulled on a dog leash](https://www.dogexpert.com/injury-can-happen-from-being-pulled-on-leash-by-a-dog/) - When more than one dog is involved in a dog related personal injury lawsuit, evaluation is usually needed to determine which dog was responsible for causing the injury. This most frequently happens, for example, when a person intervenes in a dog fight and gets bitten, or it may happened when a person is walking their - [Psychiatric illness and dog bite injury](https://www.dogexpert.com/psychiatric-illness-and-dog-bite-injury/) - Epidemiological research on dog bites has repeatedly shown that certain groups of people are at elevated risk for dog bite attack. These include children under 10 years of age, boys instead of girls, people living in the same household with a dog, and people with low socioeconomic status. More recently another risk factor has been - [Predatory attack on humans by dogs](https://www.dogexpert.com/predatory-attack-on-humans-by-dogs/) - Predatory attack on humans by dogs constitute a significant number of the estimated 4.5 million dog bites that happened in the United States on an annual basis. Predatory aggression is a scientifically valid type of aggression in domestic dogs, and it differs motivationally from the other recognized kinds of canine aggression. Occasionally in dog bite - [Predatory dog bite aggression](https://www.dogexpert.com/predatory-dog-bite-aggression/) - This peer-reviewed article authored by Dr. Polsky was published in the peer-reviewed journal Behavioral Biology. The research reviewed in this article is applicable to all mammalian species, including dogs and cats, although examples discussed in the paper are take mainly from the research conducted with laboratory animals. Nonetheless, the principles and conclusions drawn from this - [Police dog bite statistics](https://www.dogexpert.com/police-dog-statistics/) - K-9 Unit dog bites in los angeles county | Create infographics - [Plaintiff on bicycle attacked by Weimaraner in California](https://www.dogexpert.com/plaintiff-on-bicycle-attacked-by-weimaraner-in-california/) - A 73 y.o. female defendant was walking her adult Weimaraner on the sidewalk when the plaintiff and her daughter, both riding bicycles, approached from behind. They attempted to pass the defendant on her right side. As the plaintiff attempted to pass, the dog leaped at the plaintiff and bit her severely on the leg. - [Police Dog Attack Verdict: $222,000 Awarded to California Victim](https://www.dogexpert.com/222000-awarded-to-lodica-dog-bite-victim-as-a-result-of-accidental-police-dog-attack/) - Twenty-eight year-old Dean Newhall concedes that he was combative with police and concedes that he was under the influence of drugs when he was arrested in Lodi, California in April 2010. During his arrest, police used batons and tasers to subdue him. However, as the arrest was about to conclude and after police had Newhall - [Pit Bulls, Poor Breeding & Standard of Care](https://www.dogexpert.com/pit-bull-behavior-poor-breeding-standard-of-care/) - I read the article in the San Francisco Gate about a recent dog bite fatality involving a pit bull and your quoted statement that a "higher standard of care for certain dogs, like pit bulls, may be needed.” To me, this seems similar to the sport bike or "crotch rocket" analogy. These bikes are for - [Rabies risk in China leads to genocide of dogs](https://www.dogexpert.com/genocide-of-dogs-in-china/) - Governmental officials in southwestern China's Yunnan province's acknowledge the massacre of as many as 50,000 dogs in a campaign carried out in 2006 following the deaths of three local people from rabies, as reported in the Shanghai Daily. As unthinkable as it might seem to dog owners in Western countries, the genocide was carried out - [Dog bite liability for negligence upheld against animal control in WA.](https://www.dogexpert.com/animal-control-dog-bite-negligence-washington/) - I became interested in a bizarre dog bite incident that happened in area of Tacoma, WA. in 2007. My interest was gleaned given that I have served as Washington dog bite expert on the issue of negligence on several occasions. I reported this case in an earlier post. Briefly, plaintiff Sue Gorman was viciously attacked - [Warm weather & dog bites to children in summer](https://www.dogexpert.com/warm-weather-dog-bites-to-children-in-summer/) - A study from the the State University of NY at Buffalo, and the Children Hospital of Buffalo, evaluated 84 cases of dog bites in children over an eight-year period. Findings published in the Journal of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery (Vol.140, pp. 354-357) note strong correlation between dog attacks on children (0-19 years) during the - [Wall & fence jumping in aggressive boxer dogs](https://www.dogexpert.com/wall-fence-jumping-in-aggressive-boxer-dogs/) - Inquiry To Dr. Polsky My wife and I recently purchased an investment house to rent in Avondale, Arizona, and have discovered afterward that the next door neighbor has two very aggressive boxers who jump up and hang on to the 6' block fence barking, growling and snarling at me and prospective renters whenever we go - [Dog bite statistics and info for Weimaraner](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-and-info-for-weimaraner/) - Weimaraner walked by senior citizen viciously attacks plaintiff on bicycle - [Dog bite statistics and info for St. Bernard](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-and-info-for-st-bernard/) - Animal behavior and assumption of risk involving a St. Bernard - [Dog bite statistics and info for Dogo argentino](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-and-info-for-dogo-argentino/) - Please revisit, content forthcoming for dog bite statistics and info for Dogo argentino - [Dog bite statistics and info for Dalmatian](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-and-info-for-dalmatian/) - Please check back, content forthcoming for dog bite statistics and info for Dalmatian - [Dog bite statistics & info for Wolf hybrid](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-info-for-wolf-hybrid/) - Wolf hybrids ruled dangerous by Canadian court - [Dog bite statistics & info for Tosa inu](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-information-for-tosa-inu/) - Please revisit, content forthcoming for dog bite statistics and info for the Tosa inu - [Dog bite statistics & info for the Presa canario](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-info-for-the-presa-canario/) - Please revisit, content forthcoming for dog bite statistics & info for the Presa canario - [Dog bite statistics & info for Staffordshire bull terrier](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-info-for-staffordshire-bull-terrier/) - Please revisit, content forthcoming or dog bite statistics and info on Staffordshire bull Terrier - [Dog bite statistics & info for Russian Terrier](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-info-for-russian-terrier/) - Please revisit, content forthcoming for dog bite statistics and info for the Russian Terrier - [Dog bite statistics & info for Rhodesian Ridgeback](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-info-for-rhodesian-ridgeback/) - Please revisit, content forthcoming for dog bite statistics and info on Rhodesian ridgeback - [Dog bite statistics & info for Pomeranians](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-info-for-pomeranians/) - Can a Pomeranian inflict a fatal dog bite? - [Dog bite statistics & info for Jack russell terrier](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-info-for-jack-russell-terrier/) - Jack Russell initiates predatory attack on infant in bassinet Children bitten most often by bull terriers and Jack Russells in Australia - [Dog bite statistics & info for Hungarian Vizsla](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-info-for-hungarian-vizsla/) - Please revisit, content forthcoming on dog bite statistics and info for Hungarian Vizsla - [Dog bite statistics & info for Great Pyrenees](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-info-for-great-pyrenees/) - Please revisit, content forthcoming for dog bite statistics send info for the Great Pyrenees - [Dog bite statistics & info for French mastiff](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-info-for-french-mastiff/) - French mastiff viciously mauls 3 y.o. toddler in England French mastiff kills 42-year-old lady in Illinois - [Dog bite statistics & info for Bernese Mountain dog](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-info-for-bernese-mountain-dog/) - Please revisit, content forthcoming for dog bite statistics and info for Bernese Mt. dog - [Dog bite settlement for $1 million in Florida against property owner](https://www.dogexpert.com/1-million-dog-bite-settlement-in-flordia-against-property-owner-property-management-company/) - A Florida Power & Light Company meter reader, mauled by four pit bulls in 2003, reached settlement in the amount of $1 million. Settlement was reached approximately a year after the lawsuit was filed against the property owner and the property management company. The incident happened when four pit bulls jumped the fence surrounded the - [Dog bite or child abuse in Florida?](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-attack-or-child-abuse/) - An case involving aggravated child abuse by the father of a two-month-old infant came before jury in Gainesville Florida in February 2010. The defendant was a 39-year-old Gainesville police officer who blamed his daughter's injuries on the family dog, an adult, neutered Dutch Shepherd named Bandit. The matter proceeded to trial approximately 3 years after - [Dog Bite News in West Virginia](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-west-virginia/) - Please revisit - Content forthcoming about dog bite attacks in West Virginia by dog bite expert witness Richard Polsky, PhD - [Dog Bite News in Vermont](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-vermont/) - Please revisit - Content forthcoming about dog bite attacks in Vermont by dog bite expert witness Richard Polsky, PhD - [Dog Bite News in Tennessee](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-tennessee/) - Please revisit - Content forthcoming about dog bite attacks in Tennessee by dog bite expert witness Richard Polsky, PhD - [Dog Bite News in South Carolina](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-south-carolina/) - Court of appeals overturns South Carolina dog mauling conviction. Photographs of the of the victims partially eaten, mauled body should not have been shown to the jury at the time of trial. Read more 80 y.o. amputee mauled to death by a pack of pit bulls in Harleyville, SC. An 80-year-old man, Carlton Freeman, a bilateral - [Dog Bite News in Saskatchewan](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-saskatchewan/) - Please revisit - Content forthcoming - [Dog Bite News in Rhode Island](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-rhode-island/) - Please revisit - Content forthcoming about dog bite attacks on people in Rhode Island by dog bite expert witness Richard Polsky, PhD - [Dog Bite News in Ontario](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-ontario/) - Please revisit - Content forthcoming about dog bite attacks on people in the province of Ontario, Canada by dog bite expert witness Richard Polsky, PhD - [Dog Bite News in New York](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-new-york/) - Man sentenced to jail for commanding pit bull to attack police officer. A man with previous felony charges, was sentenced to serve up to 12 years in prison for ordering his pit bull to attack a police sergeant in 2010. The defendant, Jeffrey Cofield, represented himself in a bench trial in Queens Supreme Court before - [Dog Bite News in New Mexico](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-new-mexico/) - Dog bite fatality in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. April 4, 2012 Angie and John Hardiman, face five felony counts as a result of the 2011 mauling death of Margaret Salcedo by four pit bull type dogs. The couple was expected to be arraigned in court on April 4, 2012. Previous developments in this case - [Dog Bite News in Nebraska](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-nebraska/) - Nebraska Supreme Court overturns summary judgment by lower court in non-bite incident - [Dog Bite News in Missouri](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-missouri/) - Please revisit - Content forthcoming about dog bite attacks in Missouri by dog bite expert Richard Polsky, PhD - [Dog Bite News in Minnesota](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-minnesota/) - Fatal dog attack by Siberian Husky on 11-day-old infant in Independence, Minnesota - [Dog bite news in Massachusetts](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-massachusetts/) - Pit bull type dogs required to be muzzled in public in Malden Malden City Massachusetts April 4, 2012. The city council of Malden, Massachusetts approved a measure to require pit bull-type dogs to wear muzzles in public the vote was 7-4 in favor of the regulation, which makes the law in this town similiar to - [Dog Bite News in Louisiana](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-louisiana/) - News summaries On March 25, 2014 in Houma, Louisiana an allegedly 130 pound dog fatally attacked a four-year-old girl in an apartment. According to news reports, the mother tried to fight the dog off, was unsuccessful, and the dog turned and attacked her. Police arrived, and they killed the dog with gunshot after supposedly the dog is - [Dog Bite News in Kansas](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-kansas/) - Please revisit - Content forthcoming about dog bite attacks on people in the state of Kansas by dog bite expert Dr. Polsky - [Dog Bite News in Iowa](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-iowa/) - Man bites dog in Madrid, Iowa Few defenses available to counter dog bite statute in Iowa - [Dog bite news in British Columbia](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-in-british-columbia/) - Please check back, content forthcoming. - [Dog bite injury to the neck of a human](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-injury-to-the-neck-of-a-human/) - Inquiry to Dr. Polsky I am the Director for an Animal Control Shelter. I am by no means an expert on behavior, but I have had extensive training. I would like your opinion (would not be used in litigation as there is none)....If a dog attacks the back of a person's head in the area - [Dog bite injury to children: What factors contribute to its occurrence?](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-injury-to-children-what-factors-contribute-to-its-occurrence/) - In the United States, dog bite injury happens more frequently to children when compared with other age groups of people. This basic finding has been widely reported in the animal behavior and epidemiological literature. Moreover, results from dog bite investigation in European countries, and in Canada and in Australia, show that when compared with other - [Dog bite info for Spanish Alano](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-and-info-for-spanish-alano/) - Content forthcoming, please check back for dog bite statistics and info for Spanish Alano - [Dog bite info for Shar pei](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-info-for-shar-pei/) - Please revisit, content forthcoming for dog bite statistics and info for Shar pei - [Dog bite hospitalization in California](https://www.dogexpert.com/hospitalizations-in-california-for-dog-bite-injury/) - Statistics resulting from epidemiological studies on the kind of dogs that bite and their victims are plentiful. Examples include the gender and age of the victim, the breed, gender and age of the dog, and features of the setting in which the dog bite incident occurred. Many of these statistics have been duplicated in independent reports. - [Dog bite force is difficult to calibrate](https://www.dogexpert.com/bite-force-in-dogs-is-difficult-to-calibrate-2/) - Dog bite force or pressure (force per unit area) of a dog's bite when full closure of the mouth is made may be useful information to have in some dog bite cases. For example, when an attorney needs to substantiate that certain kinds of injuries, particularly blunt injuries, may have been caused by the dog’s - [Dog bite fatalities in the USA 2004](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-fatalities-in-the-usa-in-2004/) - Dog bite fatalities in the United States happened relatively infrequently when compared with other causes of mortal fatalities fatality, such as gunshot wound, car accidents,and electrocution. Pit bulls and Rottweilers have been consistently implicated in dog bite fatalities, and this can be explained solely through their powerful musculature and assumed bite force. This statistical finding - [Dog bite face transplant after dog attack](https://www.dogexpert.com/face-transplant-for-severe-dog-bite-attacks/) - The world's first face transplant procedure, completed in 2005, using tissue from a brain-dead donor to rebuild the face of a woman whose original face was torn apart by a dog. The 36-year-old woman lost her nose, lips and chin as a result of the dog attack. Physicians have indicated some success in this novel - [Dog bite epidemiology abstracts](https://www.dogexpert.com/epidemiological-abstracts/) - Alaska human fatality by wolf Alaska dog bite statistics Blunt injury in dog bite cases Current statistics on dog bite problem today Dog bites and posttraumatic stress in children Survey finds that few dogs actually bite people Warm temperature effects dog bites to children Swings associated with fatal dog attack on infants Fatal dog bite - [Dog Bite statute California -](https://www.dogexpert.com/california-dog-bite-statute-civil-code-3342-2/) - The California dog bite statute imposes strict liability onto a dog owner with regard to personal injury caused by a dog bite. Hence, no prior knowledge by the owner about the dog's dangerous propensities is required to impose liability on the dog owner. Probably the strongest animal behavior defense is that the dog bite victim - [Criminal prosecution of fatal dog attacks](https://www.dogexpert.com/criminal-prosecution-of-fatal-dog-attacks/) - The prosecution of dog owners on criminal felony charges (usually manslaughter) are much more common nowadays, particularly in the wake of the 2001 San Francisco dog mauling . Nevertheless, these kind of cases are often difficult for prosecutors to successfully prosecute because of the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the dog owner(s) must - [Divine intervention when Bibles used to stop pit bull attack in Texas?](https://www.dogexpert.com/how-to-stop-a-pit-bull-attack-throw-bibles-at-the-dog/) - The degree to which some pit bulls become emotionally aroused during aggressive encounters with people or other dogs may be unique to the breed. In some cases, a pit bull's exceptionally high state of arousal makes it impervious to interventions aimed at stopping its attack. For example, there have been many documented cases in which - [Dental guards for dogs may prevent serious injury from dog bite attack](https://www.dogexpert.com/dental-guards-for-dogs-may-prevent-serious-injury-from-dog-bite-attack/) - A novel approach to curtail injury caused by a dog bite was recently introduced in Sweeden:a doggy dental guard. The guard is similar to the dental guards worn by people to prevent tooth grinding, and for dogs it is specifically designed to prevent a dog’s teeth from penetrating into the body of a person when - [Database for dangerous dogs?](https://www.dogexpert.com/database-for-dangerous-dogs/) - Q. I am a GIS analyst that puts together a lot of spatial databases and I came across your name on your website you maintain. Do you know of anyone compiling a Dog Bite Database to show where risky dogs live? -State level -County level -National? I have always thought this would be a good database to - [Civil rights police K-9 dog bite attack in San Diego, California](https://www.dogexpert.com/civil-rights-police-dog-attack-in-san-diego/) - Dr. Polsky was retained as an animal behavior expert for the plaintiff. One issue in this case was whether the victim, a 60 year-old male recently released psychiatric patient, who may have been in a florid paranoid state at the time of the incident, had the ability to thrust his arm forward in stabbing motions - [Chinese government limits dog ownership in Shanghai over dog bite problem](https://www.dogexpert.com/chinese-government-limits-dog-ownership-in-shanghai-due-to-dog-bite-problem/) - In recent legislation, the Chinese government has limited dog ownership to a maximum of 1 per household in this overcrowded city with a population close to 19 million people. According to the new law which took effect in October 2010, anyone caught with an unlicensed dog would be fined $150 dollars, a cost which is prohibitive - [Cat aggression towards owner likely triggered by novel odor](https://www.dogexpert.com/cat-aggression-towards-owner-likely-triggered-by-novel-odor/) - Inquiry: An "out of the blue" attack happened last night with my cat. Pumpkin, a domestic short hair, six years of age. I am her mother since 8 weeks old. Prior to the attack I noticed pupils dilated, sniffing my hands and puffy tail. I proceeded to empty clothes dryer and seconds later she is - [Can a Cat Bite Cause the Plague?](https://www.dogexpert.com/cat-bite-causes-the-plague-in-rescue-attempt/) - CatsThe plague is a bacterial illness that can be contracted through the bite of inflected fleas or through direct contact with infected animal or person. This illness killed millions in the Middle Ages. The illness is now rare and in the United States - there are less than 10 reported cases annually. In the current - [California mother vindicated in dog bite genital mutilation of son](https://www.dogexpert.com/california-mother-vindicated-in-dog-bite-genital-mutilation-of-son/) - A judge in Riverside County, CA. dismissed charges against a 23-year-old mother whose 7 month-old son's genitals were mutilated by the family's pit bull mix dog. the mother was charged with felony child endangerment in connection with the April 3, 2010 incident that happened in Murrieta, CA. The incident happened when the mother left the - [Attack cat in California](https://www.dogexpert.com/attack-cat-in-california/) - Q. My 8 y.o cat is named Lexington and he is demonstrating extreme aggression towards people. I have had him since he was a kitten and this behavior began at a young age and has been becoming progressively worse through the years. There is no rhyme or reason as to why and when he attacks. - [Attaching leash improperly results in dog bite in Pennsylvania](https://www.dogexpert.com/attaching-leash-to-collar-improperly-results-in-dogs-bite-incident-in-pennsylvania/) - Q. The problem occured directly in front of my parents home which I was visiting. My mother had taken the dog out to go to bathroom, then handed the dog to me on his leash. A couple walked by, and I restrained my dog as he got excited. My mother had accidentally looped his leash on the - [Are dogs from nonregistered breeders more likely to inflict dog bite injury?](https://www.dogexpert.com/are-dogs-from-nonregistered-breeders-more-likely-to-bite/) - Frequently in dog bite litigation questions arise about the temperament and aggressive nature of the dog involved in an incident, and questions like this tie into issues about foreseeability. That is, should it have been foreseeable that a dog in question would attack a person? Animal behavior evidence that has bearing on the issue of - [Are dog bites more likely to occur during a full moon?](https://www.dogexpert.com/full-moon-associated-with-dog-bites/) - In various cultures throughout the world there is the widespread belief that animals, including companion dogs, are more likely to bite when under the influence of a full moon. Research which scientifically validates this belief is lacking t, but one rather controversial study indicates that the lunar cycle may have some effect on animal aggression.This - [Animal welfare advocate questions the effects of chaining dogs](https://www.dogexpert.com/animal-welfare-advocate-concerned-about-the-effects-of-chaining-dogs/) - Q. My interest in dog bites, which can be described as intense, stems mainly from my concern for chained dogs. I had been a volunteer in a local humane society for 4 years, when I made the decision to enlarge my experience in animal welfare by becoming a municipal animal control officer for the next six years - [Animal control officer seeks dog bite reading material](https://www.dogexpert.com/animal-control-office-seeks-dog-bite-reading-material/) - Q. I work as animal control officer for the City of San Jose as a bite investigator. I always am asked questons by the dog owner will I get sued, am I liable, what could I have done to prevent this from happening? Is there some type of reading material that I can give to the - [Animal behavior expert analysis in dog bite lawsuits](https://www.dogexpert.com/animal-behavior-expert-analysis-in-dog-bite-lawsuits/) - AggressionThe scientific discipline of animal behavior utilizes a comparative approach in the study of animal behavior. While this approach may not be understood by non-academically trained dog bite experts, or appreciated by dog bite attorneys, it nevertheless is of value when making analysis of aggressive behavior in dogs. Below, I will illustrate how animal behavior - [How to collect animal behavior evidence in dog bite cases](https://www.dogexpert.com/collect-animal-behavior-evidence-dog-bite-cases/) - Dog bite attorneys need to collect as much relevant information as possible about the behavior of the defendant's dog, both prior to and when the incident occurred. This is very important in cases where liability is contested. An attorney's failure to collect meaningful animal behavior evidence may compromise the outcome of the case. Information needs - [Expert opinion on a dog bite to the face by a German Shepherd in a Texas Petco store](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-face-german-shepherd-petco-texas/) - Inquiry to Dr. Polsky "My wife sustained a dog bite to the face this week by a german shepherd while we were shopping at a Petco in Fort Worth, Texas. She asked the owner if his dog was friendly. He was on a leash. The owner responded yes that his dog was friendly and she could pet - [Expert opinion about dog bite negligence](https://www.dogexpert.com/expert-opinion-dog-bite-negligence/) - Expert opinion about dog bite negligence may be needed in any given lawsuit to determine if liability exists against a defendant. Allegations of dog bite negligence is probably the most frequently filed complaint against defendants in dog bite lawsuits. As such, attorneys may need the opinions of a dog bite expert opinion to substantiate whether - [Dog bite expert analysis of chimp mauling in Connecticut](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-analysis-of-chimp-mauling-in-connecticut/) - When Travis, a 200 pound chimpanzee, brutally attacked 55-year-old Charla Nash in Stamford, Connecticut in Feruary 2009, lawmaker’s across the country were on notice about the potential danger non-domesticated animals, kept as pets, present to people. Not unexpectedly, shortly thereafter, a $50 million lawsuit was filed against the owner of Travis, Sandra Herold. The lawsuit - [Airline cargo ban lifted for pit bulls, Rottweilers and Doberman pinschers](https://www.dogexpert.com/airline-cargo-ban-for-pit-bulls-rottweilers-and-doberman-pinschers/) - As result of strong protest from animal rights organizations, the airline ban against certain breeds, initiated by American Airlines in 2002, Currently, American Airlines now requires holding cages for dogs, regardless of breed, to meet certain specified requirements, particularly in terms of the strength of the latch that holds the front door of the cage - [Dog bite news in Wyoming](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-news-wyoming/) - Content forthcoming about Wyoming dog bite stories - [Alaska regulates wolf hybrids](https://www.dogexpert.com/alaska-regulates-wolf-hybrids/) - In an effort to eliminate all remaining wolf hybrids from Alaska, the Department of Board of Game in Alaska in 2002 tightened rules and made it illegal to own, breed or sell a wolf hybrid in Alaska. The regulation, however, allows owners who currently own hybrids to keep them, provided that the animals are neutered, - [Animal behavior expert opinion in lawsuits stemming from dog bites by police canines](https://www.dogexpert.com/verdicts-settlements-police-dog-bite-lawsuits/) - In this article, I will proffer opinions on police K-9 attacks on people from my perspective as an expert witness in animal behavior. For this purpose, I will use results taken from verdicts and settlements I am familiar with either as a retained dog bite expert or from news stories published on the Internet. Background - [Animal behavior, excessive force, and bite & hold police K9s: Part II - Municipal liability](https://www.dogexpert.com/municipal-liability-excessive-force-bite-hold-police-k9s/) - The fourth amendment protects people against the use of excessive force by police K-9s trained in the bite and hold technique. Specifically, Title 42 of the United States Code, Section 1983 makes it unlawful for the police to use unreasonable or excessive force in the apprehension and arrest of a suspect. Lawsuits are brought under - [Provocation by a Rottweiler in a dog bite attack](https://www.dogexpert.com/provocation-by-a-rottweiler-in-a-dog-bite-attack/) - Inquiry to Dr. Polsky My dog seriously bit a young lady (18 years old) several months ago. The dog was a 100 lb, 5 year old Rottweiler that had and never bit anyone seriously in the past (she had nipped people occasionally, but done nothing more than break the skin). My mother warned the young - [Questions about the dangerous nature of pit bulls](https://www.dogexpert.com/questions-about-the-dangerous-nature-of-pit-bulls/) - Dear Dr. Polsky, I am not writing you in regards to dog attack but for a general dog question. I am planning on rescuing a dog from the local shelter. The dog is listed as a "pit bull" and in my interactions has shown no aggression. I have known a few pit bull terriers and - [Rabies from dog bites still prevalent in many countries](https://www.dogexpert.com/rabies-from-dog-bites-still-prevalent-in-many-countries/) - Despite the economic and technological advances in Third World countries in the last 20 years, infection from rabies still remains prevalent. Experts continue to warn travelers to India, and to countries in Africa and Latin America, that vaccination against rabies is needed before traveling to these countries. Travelers are warned to avoid interacting with stray - [San Francisco Dog Mauling Case](https://www.dogexpert.com/san-francisco-dog-mauling-2/) - Dr. Polsky was retained by the defense in this well-known case which drew national attention. The victim, Diane Whipple, was mauled to death by her neighbor's massive Preso canario dogs in the hallway of her apartment in January, 2001. The case caused much dismay in San Francisco's gay community, probably because Whipple was a lesbian - [Septicaemia causes death from dog bite](https://www.dogexpert.com/septicaemia-causes-death-from-dog-bite/) - Septicaemia, a term referring to the presence of pathogenic organisms in the blood-stream, more commonly known as blood poisoning, may have been the cause of death for 33 year old man in Northern England. The victim was attacked by a pit bull on his way to work: the dog jaws locked onto the arm of - [Software teaches children dog bite prevention](https://www.dogexpert.com/software-teaches-children-dog-bite-prevention/) - The majority of dog bite prevention measures are presumably readily understood by most adults, but since the majority of dog bites are inflicted to children, a reasonable goal would be to communicate with children on a level they understand, and a new software program teaching children dog bite prevention makes this attempt. Computer software entitled - [Statistics regarding dog bites & emergency room visits](https://www.dogexpert.com/statistics-for-emergency-room-visits-hospitalization-for-dog-bite-injury/) - Statistic listed below are taken from: Holmquist, L. and Elixhauser, A. Emergency Department Visits and Inpatient Stays Involving Dog Bites, 2008. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD.November 2010. The number of people admitted to the hospital because of dog bites grew by 86% from 1993 to 2008; in total there were 5,100 cases - [Study underscores danger of cat bites](https://www.dogexpert.com/study-underscores-danger-cat-bites/) - People often underestimated the dangers associated with being bitten by a cat. This probably happens because the external damage one sees to the body of a person bitten by a cat is much less compared with dog bites. However, judging the potential risk to one's health based on what the injury looks is risky. Unlike - [The dog bite problem in the USA](https://www.dogexpert.com/the-dog-bite-problem-today-in-the-usa/) - Nearly 30 years ago the dog bite problem was characterized as a public health "epidemic". Since then, the topic of dog bites has received much attention both in the scientific literature and popular press. The focus in many reports has been about the circumstances in which dog bites occur, characteristics of the biting dogs and - [The nature of dog bite injury inflicted by police canines](https://www.dogexpert.com/the-nature-of-dog-bite-injury-inflicted-by-police-canines/) - Police canines are subjected to rigorous training for subject apprehension. One method commonly used by these dogs in subject apprehension is known as the "bite and hold." That is, the dogs are taught to bite a suspect, and then to hold the suspect until commanded to release by the K-9 handler. In theory, this sounds - [Trespass no defense to pit bull mauling of 6 y.o. girl in Michigan](https://www.dogexpert.com/trespass-no-defense-to-dog-mauling-of-6-y-o-in-michigan/) - The owner of pit bulls that mauled a 6-year-old girl in August, 2010 in Jackson County, Michigan was found guilty of harboring dangerous animals. The defense argued that the girl was a trespasser, therefore mitigating whatever conclusions could be drawn about the dangerous nature of the dogs in question. When the incident happened, the pit - [Pet store not liable for dog bite injury in New York](https://www.dogexpert.com/pet-store-not-liable-for-dog-bite-injury-in-new-york/) - The policy of most pet shops, including the large national chains, such as Petco and Petsmart, permits pets into the stores restricted on leash while their owners shop. This policy, known industrywide as a "pet friendly policy," allows dogs to encounter nearby patrons of the store. This policy has been in place for years, and - [Concerns raised about the aggressive nature of Boerboels](https://www.dogexpert.com/concerns-raised-about-aggression-in-the-south-african-boerboel/) - A South African plastic and reconstructive surgeon states that he has seen an alarming increase in dog bite victims from attacks by the boerboel. According to an interview in February 2010 with Dr Jonathan Toogood,"Dog bite cases outnumber the cases I see involving motor vehicle accidents, incidents involving pedestrians, and domestic violence. And of the dog - [Blunt injury in dog bite cases](https://www.dogexpert.com/blunt-injury-in-dog-bite-cases-should-not-be-ignored/) - Dog bite blunt injury sustained by victims of a dog attack was the focus of 2001 study published in the Journal of Pediatric Surgery (2001, 36,1115- 1117). The principal conclusion drawn from the study was that blunt injuries from dog bites happen more frequently then one might suspect. This kind of injury is not noticeable - [Was the dog attack foreseeable?](https://www.dogexpert.com/foreseeability-of-dog-behavior-dog-bites-2/) - In dog bite lawsuits, the term foreseeability is used to determine whether the behavior of the dog was predictable or a behavior that could have been expected in a given set of circumstances. An animal behavior perspective is often useful in addressing whether the actions of the dog which injured the plaintiff were foreseeable or not. - [Noise from a hearing aid causes dog bite attack in Flordia](https://www.dogexpert.com/noise-from-hearing-aid-causes-dog-to-attack-elderly-lady/) - The external stimuli eliciting dog attacks are often predictable, but in one recent instance in Florida the external stimulus associated with the onset of an attack was rather unusual. The case in question was an attack on and 86-year-old lady whose hearing aid fell from her ear hitting the ground, as she stooped over to - [Golden retriever dog bite attack questionable](https://www.dogexpert.com/questionable-account-of-dog-bite-attack-by-golden-retrievers/) - Golden retriever dog bite attacks on people seldomly happen, and in one instance in which this was claimed to have occurred, Dr. Polsky was retained to evaluate the behavioral propensities of two Golden retrievers in question. In this dog bite case, the plaintiff claims that two golden retrievers attacked her and her daughter after having - [California dog bite expert opinion about California leash laws](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-expert-opinion-about-california-leash-laws/) - In dog bite lawsuits, dog bite expert opinion about California leash laws could be used to educate a jury about the necessity and value of these kind of laws. The common theme found in most leash law regulations state that a when a dog is on public property, it must be attached to a leash - [Dog Bites: Trampolines and Children Inciting Aggressive Behavior](https://www.dogexpert.com/movement-by-children-on-trampolines-associated-with-dog-bite-attack/) - For example, a rather unusual auditory stimuli reported to be associated with dog bite attack is the repeated high pitched beeping sound from a hearing aid. In addition, movement is a stimulus that may affect some dogs. For example, the movement of a jogger, that of the person on a bicycle or skateboard or even - [Dr. Polsky's Peer Review Publication about Electronic Shock Collars](https://www.dogexpert.com/peer-reviewed-publication-html/) - Electronic Shock Collars: Are They Worth the Risks? Richard H. Polsky, PhD Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association September/October 1994, Vol. 30 The advantages and disadvantages of using electronic shock collars as training tools to solve behavioral problems in dogs are reviewed. Three kinds of shock collars are described: one which operates manually - [Dog bite injury statistics for the United States, Australia and Canada](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-injury-statistics-in-the-united-states-australia-and-canada/) - Dog bite statistics in the United States have consistently shown that children, usually boys, are the victims of most dog bite attacks, and that most instances occur in an area familiar to the dog. Another consistent epidemiological finding has been that German shepherds and Chows are the breeds that most frequently attack people. Contrary to - [New Jersey Dog Bite Verdict: $1.5 Million](https://www.dogexpert.com/1-5-million-awarded-in-new-jersey-for-pit-bull-attack/) - In November 2009, a Middlesex County New Jersey jury awarded $1.5 million to a 30-year-old lady for the damages she sustained in a 2006 vicious pit bull attack at her father's home. According to news reports, the dog was owned by a friend of the plaintiff's father, and the father looked after the dog while - [Dogo argentino dog bite to face of news anchor on live TV](https://www.dogexpert.com/dogo-argentino-bites-face-of-news-anchor-on-live-tv/) - Television viewers in the Denver area may have been in disbelief when they saw a Dogo Argentino bite the face of a news anchor, Kyle Dyer, on live TV on Valentine's Day, 2012. A morning talk show in the Denver area was conducting an interview about a Dogo Argentino dog, named Max, who was dramatically rescued - [Examples of Dog Bite Lawsuits](https://www.dogexpert.com/examples-of-dog-bite-lawsuits/) - Many factors determine whether a bite injury inflicted by a dog to a human will lead to a lawsuit. Probably the chief factor is the severity of the injury because less severe injuries do not warrant the costs of initiating litigation. However, since there are an estimated 4.5 million dog bites to humans happen in the - [Dog bite verdict of $800,000 against California mayor](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-verdict-of-880000-against-mayor-of-rockland-ca/) - A well-publicized dog bite case that went to trial in May, 2006 foundRockland Mayor, George Magnuson, liable for damages in an incident in which his dog seriously mauled his neighbor. After 10 hours of deliberations, the jury determined Magnuson and his wife Kathleen were responsible for the October 2004 attack on 76-year-old Adele Whitney by - [Presa Canario Dog Bite Mauling in San Francisco](https://www.dogexpert.com/presa-canario-the-san-francisco-dog-mauling/) - Inquiry To Dr. Polsky I read your writings. I found them quite informative. I am guessing that you are against any BSL as am I. However, we differ on a couple of things. I truly believe that any sign of aggressive behavior is a warning that worse things can and may happen. You seem to - [Dog Bite Statistics for children](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-for-children/) - A basic finding him in the epidemiology of dog bites is that children are the victims in a disproportional amount of dog bite attacks. The reasons for this are probably the result of many interacting variables, some of which include the inability of the child to defend itself against an aggressive dog, the inability of - [Dog bite statistics for chained dogs](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-for-tethered-dogs/) - Q. In general, do dogs that are tethered have more biting incidents than dogs that are in a pen? Some cities are now putting in place ordinances that ban residents from tethering their dogs. One of their arguments for this is public safety, but I have not found any stats on biting incidents that state whether - [Fatal dog mauling by family pit bull in Pacifica, California](https://www.dogexpert.com/fatal-dog-mauling-by-family-pit-bull-in-pacifica-california/) - A 32-year-old pregnant Pacifica, California woman was mauled to death by a family pit bull on August 11, 2011. At the time of the incident she was alone in her home and was discovered by her husband when he returned later that day Pacifica is a small town near San Francisco. The victim suffered bites - [Dog bites, earthquakes and the Fukushima disaster](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bites-earthquakes-fukushima-disaster/) - How do earthquakes affect the behavior of dogs? I know personally from a clinical practice in Southern California that dogs occasionally become fearful and anxious. For example, I have administered behavioral therapy to dogs who became frightened of their living quarters immediately following an earthquake. This obviously happened because of the association with a dog's familiar home environment and the shaking caused by the earthquake. On - [Landlord / property owner liability in dog bite cases](https://www.dogexpert.com/landlord-property-owner-liability-in-dog-bite-cases/) - In Uccello v. Laudenslayer (1975) 44 Cal.App.3d 504 [118 Cal.Rptr. 741, 81 A.L.R.3d 628], the court established a landlord can be liable if he or she had actual knowledge of the dog's vicious propensity. This actual knowledge rule has been followed subsequently another California decisions (Lundy v. California Realty (1985) 170 Cal.Ap.p.3d 813 [216 Cal.Rptr. 575]; - [Expert opinion on dog bite mauling by pit bull on donkey in Arizona](https://www.dogexpert.com/expert-opinion-on-dog-bite-mauling-by-pit-bull-on-donkey-in-arizona/) - In Cape Verde, Arizona, a pit bull escaped from its yard, chewed a hole in the neighbor's fence, and then brutally attacked and killed his pet miniature donkey. The dog bite mauling lasted for about 15 minutes. The attack could not be stopped by the owner of the donkey, or the neighbors who arrived on - [German Shepherd dog bite settlement for $500,000 in California](https://www.dogexpert.com/german-shepherd-dog-bite-settlement-for-500000/) - Santa Clara County, California — California dog bite expert witness Dr. Richard H. Polsky recently advised the Plaintiff’s attorney in a dog attack case, netting the Plaintiff a $500,000 settlement. This settlement was offered prior to trial based in part upon this expert testimony. In the case of Murphy v. Chesley, case # 109CV157800 in - [Dog bite statistics from San Diego, California](https://www.dogexpert.com/dog-bite-statistics-epidemiology/) - Dog bite statistics for San Diego County, California, 2011-2012 Recently released dog bite statistics for San Diego California for the period between July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012, as reported to the county's Department of animal services showed the that there were a total of 2921 reported human related dog bites. Read more here - [Question about Pit Bull Bite Statistics](https://www.dogexpert.com/pit-bull-bite-statistics/) - Dr. Polsky: I came across your site in trying to find if there's a scientific basis for the claim that pit pulls are the most likely dog to bite people. If I understand the CO survey you cited it doesn't adjust the bite frequency for each breed by the percentage of dogs of that breed - [Fatal Bull Mastiff Dog Bite in Slavonia](https://www.dogexpert.com/fatal-dog-bite-attack-by-bull-mastiff-in-slavonia/) - The bull mastiff is a extremely large and powerful dog, and, not surprisingly given the size and temperamental features of many dogs of this breed, the bull mastiff has a history of being involved in fatal dog attacks. In June 2013, 150 pound a bull mastiff killed a five-year-old child in Oklahoma. Outside the United - [Fatal dog attack on infant by Pomeranian in California](https://www.dogexpert.com/fatal-dog-attack-in-california-on-infant-by-pomeranian/) - As strange as it might seem, there was a reported dog bite fatality inflicted to a six-week-old infant by a Pomeranian in Los Angeles, California in October, 2000. According to a story which appeared in the Los Angeles Times, the infant was left unattended on a bed. The babysitter left the room to prepare a - [Fatal dog attack statistics in the United States for 2008](https://www.dogexpert.com/fatal-dog-attacks-in-the-usa-2008/) - There were 23 fatal dog attacks recorded in 2008. Compared with fatalities in 2007, in 2008 there was approximately a 33% decrease. Kentucky (January) Louisana (January) New York (January) Alaska (April) Texas(May) North Carolina (May) Flordia (June) Texas (June) Oklahoma (July) Mississipi (July) Pennsylvania (July) Alaska (August) Michigan (August) New York (August) California (September) New - [Factors influencing aggressive behavior in dogs](https://www.dogexpert.com/factors-influencing-aggressive-behavior-in-dogs-2/) - This article was authored by Dr. Polsky, and published in 1983 in California Veterinarian. The content has been updated to be consistent with more recent findings in animal behavior as it pertains to aggression in dogs. This article is written by a behavioral specialis; that is, a Ph.D trained animal behaviorist who diagnoses and treats behavioral problems - [Statistics & costs associated with dog bite injury](https://www.dogexpert.com/statistics-costs-associated-with-dog-bite-injury/) - The average dog bite costs insurance claims paid for dog bites was $24,840 in 2008-2009 compared with $19,162 in 2003 which represents a 29.6% increase; The average cost of hospitalization for a dog bite victim in 2008 was $18,500; For emergency room care rendered to dog bite victims, Medicare and Medicaid was the source for - [Pathogens found in infected dog & cat bites](https://www.dogexpert.com/pathogens-associated-with-infected-dog-cat-bites/) - Approximately 300,000 visits are made to emergency departments in the United States each year for management of animal bites, usually cat or dog bites. Up to 10,000 hospital admissions and 20 deaths may occur in cases of secondary infection, usually in young children. 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