A retired sheriff’s deputy now spends his time traveling the country investigating dog attacks. While the man did not report having ever visited New Jersey to investigate a dog bite, he has worked with law enforcement, prosecutors and attorneys from many states who were interested in his opinion on different types of dog bite claims.
The man claims that people’s first reaction when a dog attacks is to destroy the dog immediately. However, the man points out that in his experience, dogs bite people for a variety of different, some of which would not require a dog to be put down.
The man also says that in some cases he has worked, it was apparent that the pet owner was largely to blame for the dog’s aggressive behavior. Sometimes, an owner would neglect or not properly socialize his or her pet, and may at times even encourage the animal to be aggressive.
The man’s work also has helped identify which dog actually caused a bite injury. In some animal bite cases, several dogs may be involved in an attack, but one dog is the clear aggressor who does cause the most significant personal injury. It is important in such cases to identify which dog (and dog owner) bear the brunt of the responsibility.
New Jersey residents who have been seriously injured in a dog attack would likely from this man’s or another expert’s services. A thorough investigation as to why and how a particular bite took place may help better to establish who is at fault for a dog bite and to what extent. Ultimately, a good investigation may lead to an injured person’s getting fair and appropriate compensation for his or her injuries.
Source: The Seattle Times, “Criminal canines’ lives in hands of dog-bite forensic expert,” Tamara Lush, Oct. 20, 2012.
