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American Akitas are known to be fiercely protective of their families, but this loyalty can sometimes turn into aggression towards strangers. They have a strong prey drive and may view small animals as potential threats.
American Akitas are large dogs, weighing between 70-130 pounds, and their size alone can be intimidating. This size, combined with their powerful jaws, makes them a force to be reckoned with.
In certain situations, American Akitas can become overly aggressive, putting themselves and others at risk. Their short coats require minimal grooming, but their high energy levels require regular exercise to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.
According to some breeders, American Akitas are naturally wary of strangers and may require time to warm up to new people. This wariness can sometimes be misinterpreted as aggression.
Akita Behavior and Safety
Akitas are loving and playful pets, but they can cause harm due to their strong bite force of 300 to 400 PSI, which can cause significant damage to humans or other animals.
Despite their strong bite, Akita attacks on humans are very infrequent, with studies showing that between September 1982 and December 31, 2021, Akitas accounted for 89 attacks, 9 of which resulted in death.
Many Akita attacks involving children result from a lack of supervision by the dog owner, which can lead to children not behaving properly toward the dog and getting snapped at or bitten.
Akitas can become aggressive dogs if their owners fail to train and socialize them with people and other dogs, particularly toward strangers.
To prevent aggressive behavior, it's essential to provide Akitas with enough exercise, as they are very energetic and carry lots of power and boldness.
Akitas vs Other Breeds: Aggression
Akitas are not inherently more aggressive than other breeds, but their size and strength can cause more serious damage in the event of a bite.
Akita dog bites are more likely to cause serious damage than a smaller dog's bite.
Chihuahua's can be very "yappy" and are known to be ankle biters, making them a different case compared to Akitas.
It's essential to stay aware of your surroundings, body language, and possible signals that you could be unintentionally giving to an aggressive Akita or any other dog breed.
Akitas are very energetic and need to get as much exercise as possible to prevent becoming aggressive and even violent.
They are also very vocal, running a high risk of having the police or animal services called if your neighbors get annoyed easily.
Will Animal Control Take My Akita?
If animal control is contacted about your Akita biting someone, your dog will need to be taken for a 10-day quarantine period.
Animal control will record the case and monitor the dog for signs of rabies during this time.
After the 10-day quarantine period, you'll likely be able to pick up your dog unless animal control has determined a dangerous dog case is necessary.
If animal control decides to move forward with a dangerous dog case, there will be a court hearing to determine if your Akita meets the requirements.
Akita
Akitas are known for their loving and playful nature, but they can also be quite powerful. Their bite force ranges from 300 to 400 PSI, which can cause significant damage.
Their reputation is often marred by infrequent but sometimes severe attacks on humans. Between 1982 and 2021, Akitas accounted for 89 attacks, with 9 resulting in death.
Many of the victims were children, with 54 out of 89 being kids. This is often due to a lack of supervision by the dog owner, leading to children not behaving properly around the dog.
If an owner fails to train and socialize the dog, it can become aggressive, particularly towards strangers.
Dog Bite Laws and Liability
To win a dog bite or Akita attack case, it's crucial to have documented medical information, including any injuries sustained. This will help your lawyer build a strong case.
A police report is also essential, as it provides an official account of the incident. Make sure to obtain a copy as soon as possible.
Having photos and video of the incident, including the location, injuries, and those involved, can be very helpful in building your case.
To organize your evidence, consider creating a statement that includes the date, time, location, those involved, a summary of what happened, and any other important information your lawyer identifies. This will help keep everything straight and ensure you don't miss any crucial details.
Here are some key pieces of information you'll want to gather:
- Documented medical information
- Police report
- Photos/video
- Eye-witnesses accounts
How to Hold an Owner Liable After a Dog Bite
To hold an owner liable after a dog bite, you need to understand the One Bite Rule. This rule states that an owner can't be held liable for their dog's aggressive acts if the dog has never bitten before.
The One Bite Rule only applies if the dog has shown no previous signs of aggression, and the owner has no reason to know the dog is a threat. If the dog has bitten before, the owner may be held liable.
If the One Bite Rule doesn't apply, the owner may still be held liable under a negligent handling cause of action. This means the owner failed to prevent the dog from harming someone.
Under negligent handling, the owner is responsible for preventing harm if their dog is injured or recently gave birth. In these situations, the dog may be extra sensitive or protective, and the owner should keep strangers away.
The Restatement of Torts 518 states that an owner who possesses an animal they have no reason to believe is abnormally dangerous is liable for harm done by the animal if they are negligent in failing to prevent the harm.
Win Your Dog Case
To win a dog bite case, you need to be organized and prepared. This involves gathering crucial information that can help build a strong case.
Documented medical information is essential, as it will help establish the extent of your injuries. A police report can also be helpful in documenting the incident.
Photos and video of the incident, injuries, and those involved can provide valuable visual evidence. Any physical evidence collected from the scene can also be useful.
Having eyewitness accounts can provide additional context and support your version of events.
Real-Life Consequences and Support
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American Akita attacks can have severe consequences, including physical harm and even death. In some cases, victims may require extensive medical treatment, including surgery and hospitalization.
In 2017, a 9-year-old boy in California was attacked by an American Akita, resulting in severe lacerations and puncture wounds. He required multiple surgeries and a lengthy hospital stay.
The emotional toll of an American Akita attack should not be underestimated. Victims and their families may experience anxiety, fear, and trauma, which can last for months or even years after the incident.
What If I Was Bitten by an Akita?
If you were bitten by an Akita, report the incident to animal control as soon as possible.
You'll need to give them a description of the dog so they can try to locate the dog and its owner.
The negligent dog owner is still responsible for the incident, even if the dog escaped from their home.
If animal control can't locate the dog, you'll need to get tested for rabies right away.
If the dog hasn't previously attacked anyone else, the owner may still be held liable under a negligent handling cause of action.
Guidepost Girl Suffers Life-Changing Injuries
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A nine-year-old girl in Guidepost has life-changing injuries after a dog attack.
The attack occurred in the Cleaswell Hill area of Guidepost, Northumberland.
Police received a report shortly before 5pm on Wednesday (April 17) that a dog had injured a child.
Emergency services attended the scene and took the girl to hospital.
The girl is undergoing treatment for life-changing injuries.
The dog, believed to be an American Akita breed, was seized by officers and is set to be destroyed.
The owner of the dog has agreed for the dog to be destroyed.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police quoting log NP-20240417-0744.
Sources
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9366475/Owner-Akita-attacked-three-victims-says-pet-dog-not-dangerous.html
- https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/27491832/northumberland-dog-attack-schoolgirl-life-changing-injuries/
- https://www.bestattorney.com/dog-bites/akita-dog-breed.html
- https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24273479.guidepost-girl-life-changing-injuries-akita-attack/
- https://www.simmonsandfletcher.com/dog-bites-attacks/akitas/
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