Police do their best to protect the general public from becoming victims of crime. Of course, there is some assumed risk that goes along with the job, but that does not mean anyone, even a New Jersey police officer in the line of duty, should be exposed to an unnecessary level of risk.
One New Jersey cop found out the dangers of improperly restrained animals while in the process of conducting an arrest. While on patrol, the officer spotted a man who was wanted on drug, assault and weapons charges. However, as the cop moved to make the arrest, the suspect’s 10-year-old pit bull unexpectedly pounced on the officer and bit him in the leg.
The officer’s bite injury was treated at a local hospital.
Not only was the suspect apprehended in the incident, but the aggressive dog was also taken into custody by local animal control officials. In addition to the other criminal offenses, the dog’s owner was cited for having an unlicensed dog.
Dog owners must accept responsibility for their animals. Certainly, having an animal can be a rewarding experience, but it’s necessary to be a conscientious dog owner and take precautions to protect others from the possibility of an unwarranted attack. This is particularly true if the animals are known to have a propensity toward making unprovoked attacks, which is true among pit bulls.
Even though an animal may commit an attack, their owner is ultimately responsible for their conduct. Animal attacks that occur as the result of a negligent owner may carry civil liability, in addition to the possibility criminal penalties. The details of New Jersey’s personal injury laws surrounding dog bites are complex in nature, so it may be beneficial to seek professional advice to determine your legal rights if you are the victim of an attack.
Source:
- The Jersey Journal, “Jersey City cops confiscate 10-year-old pit bull who bit officer arresting her owner,” Michaelangelo Conte, July 30, 2012
- Our firm has the knowledge to handle complex personal injury cases. To learn more about New Jersey laws surrounding animal attacks, please visit our Morristown dog bite page.
