A pit bull was shot and killed by police after it bit a mail carrier and an animal control officer at a home in Aberdeen. According to a report in the Aberdeen News, the animal control officer responded to a residence after a mail carrier reported being bitten by a dog. When the officer arrived to investigate, the dog bit the officer.
Both the officer and the mail carrier got medical attention for their injuries. Officials said the dog was not loose, but came out of an open door in an apartment complex. Officers shot the dog only when it escaped and started running away.
Dog bites are a major issue for mail carriers, officials say. Most of the time, the attack occurs when a dog is not on a leash or if they are roaming the neighborhoods unattended. If bitten, mail carriers usually call the post office. Mail carriers call police or animal control only if they are in need of medical attention. Under Maryland law, dangerous dogs are prohibited from being left alone by owners on their property. It is also illegal for the animal to leave the property unless they are muzzled and leashed.
Anyone who has been bitten by a dog would be well advised to identify the dog and its owner. Make a complaint to animal control. Make sure you receive prompt medical attention. Keep track of all your expenses including emergency room costs, hospitalization, and surgery, including cosmetic procedures to fix scars. An experienced Maryland personal injury lawyer will help to ensure that victims’ legal rights and best interests are protected.