A senior was seriously injured by two pit bulls in Los Angeles, California.

The victim, Valentin Herrera, is a 74-year-old man who lives in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, CA. Herrera was taking his dog, a five-year-old Pomeranian named Dodger, for a walk near his home when the attack occurred. In fact, the violent incident happened just one block from Herrera’s house.

According to law enforcement officials, two pit bulls viciously attacked Herrera and Dodger on the 2600 block of North Lincoln Park Avenue. The pit bulls initially went after the Pomeranian dog, with Herrera helplessly watching and then desperately calling out for help. After killing the smaller animal, the pit bulls attacked Herrera.

As the dogs savagely attacked Herrera, their owner allegedly stood behind a fence and watched. He eventually intervened and dragged the pit bulls away from their victim. Meanwhile, people in nearby homes heard Herrera’s screams and dialed 911 to alert local authorities.

The Los Angeles Fire Department dispatched firefighters and emergency crews to the area, where they found Herrera bloodied and suffering from bite wounds to his face and arms.

Herrera sustained critical injuries in the dog attack and required emergency surgery on his brain at an LA area medical facility. His daughter later spoke to the media and said that he might not survive his injuries. He remains listed in critical condition at the hospital.

Liability For Dog Bite Injuries In California

Animal control officers with Los Angeles Animal Services took custody of the pit bulls and transported them to a nearby animal shelter. The pit bulls will be quarantined for a minimum of 10 days before officials determine whether they should be destroyed. An official hearing on the matter likely won’t occur for another month.

Some neighborhood residents have already come forward to say that they have also been victimized by the two pit bulls. For instance, a female neighbor of Herrera’s told authorities that the pit bulls recently killed her family’s therapy dog. The woman was also highly critical of the pit bulls’ owner for failing to properly train his pets.

 

If you or a loved one was injured in a vicious dog attack, you need to talk to an experienced personal injury attorney immediately. At The Paris Firm, we can help. Contact The Paris Firm now to schedule a free initial consultation.