The man killed was 74-year-old Roy McSweeney, a neighbor of the Blitch’s. Deanna is also facing charges for lying about how the incident occurred. Her and her son told police they no longer had the dogs while they were actually in their home.

“My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family of Roy McSweeny,” said Putnam County Sheriff Jeff Hardy. “I know that these indictments will not replace their loss, but I hope that bringing the owner of these vicious animals to justice will provide them with a little comfort.”

What do you think the punishment should be owners of dogs that kill people?

Wooten, Kimbrough & Normand, P.A.—Orlando wrongful death attorneys.

Police seized and quarantined the canine at the Halifax Humane society. The boy is currently in stable condition, and the attack is under investigation.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, over 3.7 million dog bites occur in the United States each year. 73% of the attacks involve children. Rottweilers and pit bulls are associated with over half of the attacks that result in a fatality.

Have you or a loved one been the victim of a dog attack in Florida?

Wooten, Kimbrough & Normand, P.A.—Orlando personal injury attorneys.

“If the animal tasted human blood, I believe it should be put to sleep,” Nicholas’ mother, Teresa Rose told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Haynes used the boy’s bike and a cast-iron tool to fight the dog off the boy.  Nicholas came to her door looking for help while under attack.

“The first thing I grab was his bike—I start beating the dog with the bike, telling the dog to get off him,” Haynes said.

Peterson was fined $648 for the bite and failing to register and vaccinate her pet.  She claimed that neighborhood children had shot the dog with a BB gun in the past.

“If you do something to a dog, they’re going to remember,” she said.  “She’s a lover, not a fighter.  She’s innocent.”

Do you think the punishment to the dog owner was appropriate?  Do Peterson’s claims about her dog being abused hold ay validity?

Wooten, Kimbrough & Normand, P.A—Orlando injury attorney.

“She’s doing very good.  It wasn’t a brutal mauling,” says Gwendolyn McKeithen.  “We believe in the gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  God is answering our prayers.”

The victims’ grandmother did not know exactly how many stitches the young girl received after the dog attack, but said “she doesn’t have very many.”

The pit bull, MJ, was brought over to the house by a friend and was said to weigh over 100 lbs.  It attacked Johnson suddenly and it is unclear what triggered the attack.  Neighbors eventually got the dog off the young girl using wooden and aluminum baseball bats, but it continued to attack the girl.  A neighbor shot the dog, possibly saving her life.

Pit bulls are banned in parts of Florida.  Do you think they should be banned across the entire state?

Wooten, Kimbrough & Normand, P.A.—Orlando personal injury attorneys.

The CDC reports that children between the ages of 5 and 9 are at the highest risk for dog bites and have a higher probably of requiring medical attention.  Dog bite victims in the next highest risk category would be adult males, and followed by people with dogs in their homes. 

 The American Veterinary Association has an excellent brochure on the prevention of dog bites.  It highlights how to select a family pet, and has tips on training your dog and what to do to avoid being bitten by a dog.

While medical personnel were tending to the womans’ wounds, the police and Animal Control officers tried to catch the dog who was still running free and showing aggression towards another child on a bike.

According to officials , the dog’s owner will not be charged in this incident, but the dog will be put down after a 10-day quarantine, and the owner must give his other dog up for adoption.

Florida law has a statute specifically governing a dog owner’s liability for injuries caused by a biting dog.  It does not matter if the dog has bitten someone in the past, or if the owner knows about a previous dog bite or not.  If you or your child has been bitten by a dog, contact one of attorneys for a free consultation regarding your injuries and the possible liability of the dog’s owner.