The Pits: California Dog Bite Deaths 2013
Pet or Pariah? In 2013 there were approx. 30 fatal dog bite attacks in the U.S., 8 less than in 2012. California again led the nation as one of the top two states with dog bite deaths. While 75% of deaths nationally are caused by pit bulls and mixes, 100% of California’s deaths in 2013 were caused by this breed. Three counties (Riverside, San Bernardino and Sonoma) and 11 California cities (Barstow, Gilroy, Highland, Hollister, Lancaster, Manteca, Ripon, Riverside, San Francisco, Santa Rosa, and Yucaipa) have mandatory sterilization laws for pit bulls. The cities of La Verne and Gonzales have laws restricting or confining pit bulls. Together, pit bulls and Rottweilers accounted for over half of the 4.7 million dog bites reported in the United States in the past year. Today, pit bulls are increasingly popular among young adults attracted to a breed that represents power & strength. Before you rush to purchase a pit bull, check local laws and insurance pricing. What you don’t know may hurt you later. Nobody wants that!
2013 Deaths from Dog Attacks:
- Hemet: Elsie Grace, 91, was mauled to death by her son’s two pit bulls in a hotel room.
- Stockton: Claudia Gallardo, 38, was mauled to death in the driveway of a residence by a pit bull. Neighbors said it had been terrorizing the area for months.
- Colton: Samuel Zamudio, 2, was mauled to death by five pit bulls while staying at his grandmother’s home.
- Union City: Nephi Selu, 6, was bitten on the head by his uncle’s pit bull and died several hours later in a hospital.
- Littlerock: Pamela Devitt, 63, was viciously mauled by four pit bulls while taking her morning walk.
