Two Young Girls Seriously Injured, Babysitter Charged in Pitbull Attack

According to a KSAT News report, two young girls were hospitalized, and their babysitter was charged following a dog attack.

Police say the incident happened at around 3 p.m. at a west-side apartment complex in the 4200 block of West Commerce Street on Saturday, December 14th. A woman was bathing the pit bull while babysitting a one-year-old and three-year-old girl when it left, entering the bedroom where the girls were. It attacked both girls, biting the one-year-old on the face above her eye and the three-year-old on her upper arm area and lip. They were seriously injured and rushed to the hospital.

The pit bull’s owner and babysitter were criminally cited for the attack. The pitbull did not have the legally required rabies shot or microchip, which is why the owner also faced a criminal citation. The dog was quarantined pending a dangerous dog investigation.

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Did You Know?

Boys ages 5 to 9 are the most likely to be bitten by a dog in the United States.

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Kids and Dogs: Holiday Safety for Parents and Hosts

Whether you’re visiting relatives who own a dog or hosting with a dog in the house, it’s critical that you do your part to avoid a bite.

Any dog can bite anyone when provoked, though children are the most likely to suffer a bite. As a parent, you can teach your children critical skills that can keep them safe from a nasty bite. As a host, you can do your part to keep your guests safe.

Tips for Parents

Do your children know how to greet a dog they’re meeting for the first time? Review these rules with them:

• Let the Dog Sniff — Teach your kids to extend their hand or stand still to let the dog sniff them before trying to pet them.
• Don’t Give Attention — Children should not give dogs attention or behave excitedly until the dog calms down to reinforce the right behavior.
• Don’t Pull — Children often pull on tails and ears, especially very young children. Teach them how to properly pet and don’t allow pulling or touching the face.
• Toy Safety — Use discretion with playtime. Dogs can become aggressive if a child tries to take their toy, especially from a kennel or tucked away corner.
• Bite Protocol — Teach your kids to roll up, cover their necks, and ball their fists if a dog starts to attack them.

Generally speaking, kids and dogs will get along just fine. Teaching your kids respectful behavior can prevent accidentally provoking a dog to bite, keeping them both safe and happy.

Tips for Hosts

You know your dog better than anyone, and you can tell how much they can handle. When deciding what to do with your dog while you host, keep in mind:

• Your dog’s temperament (especially with kids, if applicable),
• The length of the visit,
• The type of visit,
• Your guest’s comfort level.

If you know your guests are not used to dogs, consider keeping them in another room until the festivities are over. Some choose to allow dogs to greet guests and then put them away during mealtimes. If you are hosting small children, never allow the children to be alone with the dogs without at least one responsible adult around at all times.

If you notice your dog is showing signs of stress, trust your gut and separate them.

Were You or Your Child Bitten in a Dog Attack in Texas? Call Shaw!

Many people feel bad about filing a personal injury claim against a relative or friend for injury on their property.

We get it. But here’s the thing: your personal injury claim is being filed to the homeowner’s insurance, not directly against the homeowner. If your child is seriously injured in a dog attack, the financial burden of healing can be too much for your family to bear — besides, that’s what insurance is for.

If you or your child was seriously injured in a dog attack, you could be entitled to compensation for things like:

• Ambulance Costs,
• ER Treatment,
• Surgeries,
• Trauma/PTSD,
• Missed Work,
• Wrongful Death,
• And More.

We’ll help you find out if you have a case for free.

Call Shaw at 800-862-1260 to schedule a case evaluation with one of our experienced dog attack attorneys. No fees, no obligations, just expert legal advice. We look forward to serving you.

¹KSAT Report