Portland Police Officer Steven Gandy has lost part of his thigh after a dog bite he suffered on April 12, 2010. According to a KOIN news report, Gandy was responding to a drug house complaint on Southeast 148th Avenue when he was attacked by a pit bull. Gandy continued the investigation and did not seek medical attention until he was done with his shift. Gandy was treated and released, but the dog bite wound became infected. He had to undergo surgery to remove a badly infected portion of his upper right thigh. He is apparently still struggling to overcome the infection and is on several antibiotics. The pit bull is in the custody of animal control officers and is being held as evidence in the case.

I sympathize with this police officer for what he is going through. I hope he has not suffered any catastrophic injuries as a result of this dog attack and wish him the very best for a quick and complete recovery. He will be in my prayers.

Dog Bite Statistics

According to Dogsbite.org, a Web site for dog attack victims nationwide, of the 88 fatal dog attacks in the United States in a three-year period between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2008, 59 percent or 52 incidents involved pit bulls followed by Rottweilers (14 percent), American bulldog and Husky (5 percent each). This dog bite fatality finding is more or less consistent with an earlier report released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, which states that pit bulls and Rottweilers together account for 60 percent of fatal dog attacks.

Law and Liability Issues

Oregon is one of the states that still follow the "one bite rule." This means that in Oregon, the owner of the dog is strictly liable for injuries caused by the dog only if the owner knows or has reason to know of the animal's propensity to be dangerous or vicious. In such cases, victims could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, lost earnings, cost of hospitalization, surgery, loss of future income, pain and suffering, and other related damages.

Injured victims and their families of such dog attacks would be well-advised to consult with an experienced Oregon personal injury lawyer, who will make sure that the negligent dog owners are held accountable. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free and comprehensive consultation to injured victims and their families.

In what ways would you like your local dangerous dog laws to change?

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.

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