Owner of Pit Bull That Bit Two Florida Boys Fights to Save Dog’s Life

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on August 6, 2012

The owner of Champ, a pit bull that attacked two boys last August, has hired an attorney to save the dog’s life. Orlando dog bite attorney James O. Cunningham has been following developments in the case very closely and is waiting for the 5th District Court of Appeal in Daytona Beach to make their decision in the case. Anthony Coleman of Pine Hills is Champ’s owner. He claims that Orange County officials unfairly sentenced his dog to be euthanized after it attacked and bit two boys that trespassed on his property last summer. Orange County Animal Services has been in custody of the animal since the incident while Coleman filed one petition after another to prevent authorities from executing the county court’s order to euthanize the animal.

"Champ was doing what he was supposed to be doing, protecting my home. Now, they want to kill him," Coleman said. "I feel like the system is letting me down. He’s not a vicious dog."

The pit bull was impounded and quarantined on Aug. 22 after he attacked Jordan and Jonathan Robinson, two neighbor boys that climbed a chain link fence and entered Coleman’s yard. They encountered Champ and another pit bull named Sugar in the back yard, and Champ attacked nine-year-old Jordan, biting his face and injuring one eye. Jordan’s brother Jonathan struck Champ with a metal bar to protect his brother and managed to stop the attack but suffered puncture wounds all over his body when champ attacked him.

Coleman maintains that Champ was simply protecting the property when he attacked the boys.

"If he had attacked the kids outside my own yard, I would’ve given them Champ. But he didn’t get out of his yard," he said. "He didn’t attack the boy, the boy provoked the attack."

However, Orange County Assistant County Attorney P. Andrea DeLoach saw things differently. She found that the dog bite injuries were severe enough to warrant a dangerous dog investigation in accordance with Florida law.

Mr. Coleman may be making every effort to save his dog, but since his dog attacked these boys, he faces an uphill battle. Dog bite laws in our state are strict liability, meaning that dog bite victims have legal grounds to seek damages against the owners of dogs that attack. As you might guess, there are many factors to consider when thinking about seeking damages against negligent dog owners. These are best discussed with an experienced Orlando personal injury lawyer who can answer your questions and explain your legal options. If you or a member of your family is a dog bite victim and you would like to speak with Mr. Cunningham, call him today at 800-425-2004 to schedule a free consultation.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.