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Andrew Kim Law Firm, PLLC | Washington Legal Blog

At the Andrew Kim Law Firm, we see our legal blog as a chance to communicate regularly and stay connected with our readers and clients. Our short blog posts will share Washington State legal tips, Washington State legal information, Washington State current events and legal news, and updates on recent Washington State legal cases.
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Dog Bites

8/16/2010
Kasia Kim
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Seattle Woman Attacked By Pit Bull In Beacon Hill Apartment Building

A Seattle woman was attacked by a pit bull owned by her daughter in a Washington State apartment building this week. A friend of the woman attacked the dog with a purse. The woman was taken to a Seattle-area hospital with dog bite injuries.

10/7/2009
Kasia Kim
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Dog Pack Kills Two Horses In Maple Valley, Washington

What's more dangerous than an aggressive dog? A pack of aggressive dogs. Perhaps no one understands this better than Washington resident Patricia Clark, who lost two of her horses to a pack of dangerous dogs this week in Maple Valley. Clark runs Serenity Equine Rescue & Rehabilitation, where she rescues needy horses in the Washington area.

The five dogs were pit bull mixes and belonged to a neighbor. The dogs tried to attack the horses' two foals, but ended up killing the two mares. Reportedly none of the dogs are fixed and the neighbor's fence had a hole in it. King County Animal Care and Control, who is investigating the dog bite incident, told reporters that the dogs had been surrendered and will be put to sleep.

The horses had been rescued while pregnant from a slaughterhouse only to be killed because of negligent dog owners, the horse owner told reporters.

"It's not [the dogs'] fault. It's the owner's fault," Clark said.



7/6/2009
Kasia Kim
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Puppy Pug Bites Young Washington Boy In Groin

This week we learned that it is not only adult dogs that are dangerous - especially when they attack small children. In Wenatchee, Washington on Wednesday night, an 8-year-old boy was attacked by a young dog and bitten in the groin outside of the apartment complex where he lived.

The boy, who hails from Royal City, Washington, was playing outside with friends near Western Avenue when a black and tan pug dog began chasing the children. The young 8-month-old dog bit the boy in the groin area. He was rushed to Central Washington Hospital, where he was treated for dog bite wounds and then released.

The dangerous dog's owner was cited by police for having a dog at large.

To learn more about how to protect your children from dog bites and dog attacks, read our library article, Protecting Your Children From Dog Bites in Washington State.



6/10/2009
Andrew Kim
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Finley boy attacked and bitten by dog | Washington dog bite attorney

A 9 year old boy from Finley, Washington was attacked by a dog while walking home from a friend's home.  A medium-sized border collie tore up his face which needed 20 stitches to close wounds.

Sgt. Ron Sabin of the Benton County Sheriff's Office told the Tri-City Herald, "It sounds like he's lucky to be alive. It was a serious dog bite."

The boy's mother, Shanda Reed, says the dog attacked her son, Triston Jett, before her son ran home on Friday evening.  He was then taken to Kennewick General Hospital, where he was treated for his wounds and later released.

The Andrew Kim Law Firm represents persons injured from dog attacks and bites resulting in serious permanent injuries and scarring.  Call us toll free at 1-800-636-3676 to discuss your possible dog bite case.



5/18/2009
Kasia Kim
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18 tips preventing dog bites | Bellevue dog bite lawyer

18 tips preventing dog bites

An estimated 4.7 milion people in the United States are bitten by a dog each year.


1.  Never approach an unfamiliar dog.

2.  Never run from a dog and scream.

3.  Stay still when an unfamiliar dog comes up to you ("be still like a tree")

4.  If knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and lie still ("be like a log")

5.  Do not look a dog in the eye.

6.  Do  not disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating or caring for puppies.

7.  Do not pet a dog without letting it see and sniff you first.

8.  Never play with a dog unless supervised by an adult.

9.  Never leave an infant or child alone with any dog.

10.  Teach your dog submissive behaviors, like rolling over to show its stomach.

11.  Do not play aggressive games with your dog, such a wrestling.

12.  Seek medical care for any serious dog bites and report all dog attack

13.  Support animal control programs in your community.

14.  Support dog bite prevention educational programs in schools.

15.  Get the advise of a veterinarian about the right breed of dog if you are thinking about getting a family dog.

16.  Spay or neuter your dog, this often reduces its aggressive tendencies.

17.  Be sure all pets are properly immunized.

18.  See a veterinarian's advice quickly if your dog becomes aggressive.


The Andrew Kim Law Firm represents victims of dog bites and attacks, who have suffered serious and permanent injuries.  Please call us at 1-800-636-3676 for a free consultation.

 

 



4/8/2009
Andrew Kim
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University of Washington Bans Dogs After Dog Bite Incident

The University of Washington will no longer allow dogs in campus buildings following several dog bite incidents over the last semester. UW's newspaper, The Daily, reported that most recently a dog bit a person in Parrington Hall, beginning a number of rule changes. Non-service dogs will no longer be allowed in campus buildings and pets may not be left unattended outside on campus, even if tethered.

The decision was made by the UW Board of Regents and The UW Academic and Student Affairs Committee and will be enforced by the UW Police Department. Changes will be made to the Washington Academic Code (WAC) to not only bar animals from the university's buildings, but also to comply with Seattle Animal Control standards.

The UWPD will enforce the new rules by first issuing a warning and then to ask the pet owners to leave the building. Pet owners will only be ticketed or banned from the building if they refuse to cooperate by removing their animal from the premises. Animals that are unleashed or unattended on campus could be brought to animal control for the safety of those on campus.



3/24/2009
Andrew Kim
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Seattle Begins Enforcing Leash Laws For Dogs As Safety Measure

In an effort to keep children and adults safe in public parks, Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Seattle Animal Shelter have teamed up to step up dog leash enforcement in several of the city's parks. The change is in response to the public's lax response to the law, and even the misunderstanding that parks are off-leash areas for dogs.

In reality, although many parks allow dogs to run free, others do not for the safety of both the dogs and those using the parks. Parks that will receive ramped-up leash law attention include West Queen Anne Playfield, Gilman Playfield, Bitter Lake Playfield, Ravenna/Cowen Parks, Green Lake Park and Volunteer Park.

In the first weekend of enforcement, Park and Humane Law Enforcement Officers issued 14 citations, ranging from $54 to $162. Tickets focused on leash laws, dog licensing laws, and scooping laws.

Officials also wanted to remind the public and increase awareness about other public places - although leashed dogs are allowed in most parks, some public places, such as athletic fields, children's playgrounds, and beaches, do not allow dogs at all.



3/15/2009
Andrew Kim
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Pit bull dog owner sentenced for mauling | Dog bite injury attorney

Travis Dean Cunningham was sentenced to one year in prison for possession of a dangerous dog, and a little more than five years for unlawful possession of a firearm.  The judge also reinstated a previously suspended five year sentence from Cowlitz County.

His two male pit bulls attacked an elderly SeaTac woman Huong Le last September 8, 2008 while walking on the sidewalk and suffered serious and permanent injuries.  Le had more than 10 hours of surgery to reattach her ears and repair other numerous bite wounds.  According to her son Eric John Makus, one of her arms is permanently disabled.

Cunningham apologized to the court for the dog attack and promised never to own a dog again.

The Andrew Kim Law Firm represents people seriously injured from dog bites whether from aggressive dogs like pit bulls or other breeds like German Shepards, retrievers, and terriers.  Call us at 1-800-636-3676 for a free initial consultation.



2/14/2009
Andrew Kim
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Pit bull dog attack owner pleads guilty | Seattle dog bite attorney

36 year old Travis Dean Cunningham, who owned two male pit bulls that mauled 71-year-old woman, Huong Le, near her SeaTac home last September 2008, has pleaded guilty in King County Superior Court to possession of a dangerous dog.  Le suffered severed ears, a crushed arm and deep bite wounds all over her body.  She still suffers permanent disability with her right arm and scarring on her leg.

The Andrew Kim Law Firm represents victims of dog bites and attacks, who have suffered serious and permanent injuries, against the dog owners.  Please call us at 1-800-636-3676 for a free consultation.



2/12/2009
Andrew Kim
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Owner Of Deadly SeaTac Pit Bulls Pleads Guilty

Over the past few months, we've brought you the story of the September mauling of a 72-year-old SeaTac women by two vicious pit bulls. Since the initial attack, which resulted in the elderly women suffering crushed bones, a detached ear, and dozens of puncture wounds, the owner of the dogs has been charged with possession of dangerous animals - a felony.

On Tuesday, the owner, 36-year-old Travis Dean Cunningham, pleaded guilty to the felony charge in the King County Courts. He also pleaded guilty to possession of an illegal firearm. He faces up to 11.5 years in prision.

The attack prompted some talk in Seattle regarding a breed-specific ban on pit bulls, which are statistically more likely to attack humans and which have historically done greater harm to humans than other breeds. Similar laws are being consider in other states, though without much success.

The woman involved in the attack, Huong Le, is still recovering from the animal bites. A close friend told the Seattle Times that she suffers permanent disability in her right arm and that some of the wounds in her legs have still not completely healed.



1/11/2009
Andrew Kim
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Dog Whisperer, Seattle Dog Winterfest | Seattle dog bite attorney

This weekend was host to the "Dog Whisperer" Cesar Millan at the Seattle Dog Winterfest at the Bell Harbor Inernational Conference Center on the Seattle waterfront.  His show on the National Geographic Channel highlights how he changes the behavior of aggressive and difficult dogs and their owners who may need just as much training as the dogs.

Pit bulls, German Sheppards, terriers, pugs, and all kinds of dogs big and small are rehabilitated by Cesar in amazing fashion by using a combination of exercise, discipline, and affection, animal psychology, and rehabilitation.  He is truly the alpha male of his pack.

When dog owners lose control of their dogs and are no longer viewed as the pack leader, the dogs can become instruments of pain and suffering when they attack and bite unsuspecting walkers, joggers, and children playing in the streets and cause permanent injuries and scars.

The Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma dog bite attorney at Andrew Kim Law Firm, PLLC has handled several dog bite cases.  If you have any questions, you can call us at (425) 289-1990 in Seattle or Bellevue and at (253) 682-2000 in Tacoma.


1/3/2009
Andrew Kim
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Pit bull dogs attack Salem, Oregon police officer on command

A Salem, Oregon police officer shoots at two pit bull dogs after the owner allegedly commands the dogs to attack the officer.  One dog was killed and the other ran off but was captured along with the dog owner Francisco Emiliano Martinez.

He was charged with multiple counts, including attempted assault of an officer and interfering with police who were responding to reports of the dog owner trying to get his dogs to attach other apartment complex residents.

This information was provided by the Bellevue, Washington dog bite injury attorney at Andrew Kim Law Firm, PLLC
1-800-636-3676



1/2/2009
Andrew Kim
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$1.5 million dog bite case upheld by federal appeals court

Here's a case of excessive force where both a jury and now the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with Ken Rogers when he was attacked by a police dog and four Kennewick police officers while sleeping in the backyard of his family's house in Kennewick.  The jury verdict for permanent injuries sustained to his hand, back, neck and face was $1.5 million.

He was bitten by the police dog after it followed a wrong scent while looking for someone else who committed a minor traffic violation - riding a Moped without a helmet or headlight.  Apparently, the four officers decided to join in and beat him as well.  In this case, the injured person was an innocent bystander and happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

At the Andrew Kim Law Firm, PLLC, we pursue claims against police dogs and police officers who use excessive force and violate your constitutional rights.  If you need to speak with an experienced Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma dog bite attorney, you can call us at 1-800-636-3676.



12/11/2008
Andrew Kim
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Vicious Dog Owner Facing Felony For Pit Bull Attack Pleads Not Guilty

In the past weeks, we've covered the story of Huong Le, a 71-year-old SeaTac woman who was walking in her neighborhood when twp loose pit bulls attacked her in the street. She was rushed to the hospital with severe, life-threatening injuries that too 13 hours to treat and that still haunt her today. The two pit bulls were shot in the street after they would not leave the woman alone.

Tooday, KOMONews.com reports that the owner of the two pit bulls has pleaded not guilty to his felony charge related to the violent dog attack. The man, Travis Cunningham, is charged with the felony of possessing a dangerous dog. He has a criminal record dating back to 1993.

Cunningham has said that he was aware that his dogs were aggressive, but that he did not know that they could escape from his back yard. Neighbors and witnesses disagree, saying that the dogs had escaped from the yard many times before, due to a low fence and a gate with no working lock. Officials said that there was a partially-installed electric fence around the yard, but that it didn't work and it wasn't connected to power.

In addition, Cunningham was not supposed to have dogs in the yard according to his signed rental agreement.



11/17/2008
Andrew Kim
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What are the most dangerous dog breeds in Washington?

This month we covered a story about a woman who was attacked by a leashed pit bull while jogging. This woman went on to spread pit bull dog bite awareness throughout the Seattle, Washington area through her national website, dogsbite.org.

Although many states are considering breed-specific dog ordinances and laws to lower the number of dog attacks, many consider this to be "breed bullying" and unfair. Even though some types of dog bite more often than others (and even though some types of dog are known to do more serious damage due to their size and strength), they argue that the vast majority of dogs are never aggressive towards humans.

With both perspectives in mind, we think it is helpful to list the types of dogs that are more prone to attack people and be aggressive based on solid statistical analysis. This list does not mean that ALL dogs of these types should be avoided, but it does mean that you may want to be more careful when around strange dogs of these breeds. Also keep in mind that most dog bites are not by strays, but rather by the dogs of friends, neighbors, and family.

Dangerous dog breeds:

  • Alaskan Malamutes
  • Rottweiler
  • Pit Bull
  • Doberman Pinschers
  • Akitas
  • Boxers
  • Wolf-hybrids
  • German Shepherds
  • Siberian Huskies
  • Presa Canario
  • Great Dane
  • Chow Chow


11/17/2008
Andrew Kim
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Owner of pit bulls that mauled SeaTac woman faces felony charges

The owner of two pit bulls that mauled an elderly SeaTac woman in September, leaving her with a number of injuries, was charged today with possession of a dangerous dog, a felony.  Huong Le, 72, was on her way back from walking her granddaughter to a school bus stop when she was attacked around 8:15 a.m. Sept. 8.


The Andrew Kim Law Firm, PLLC has successfully handled many serious dog bite injury cases against the dog owners.  Please contact us for further details.

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Bellevue
10655 NE 4th Street
Suite 208
Bellevue, WA 98004
Phone: (425) 289-1990
Fax: (425) 289-1991
Toll Free: (800) 636-3676

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Tacoma
4301 South Pine Street
Tacoma, WA 98409
Phone: (253) 682-2000
Toll Free: (800) 636-3676

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Bellevue
10655 NE 4th Street
Suite 208
Bellevue, WA 98004
Phone: (425) 289-1990
Fax: (425) 289-1991
Toll Free: (800) 636-3676

Tacoma
4301 South Pine Street
Tacoma, WA 98409
Phone: (253) 682-2000
Toll Free: (800) 636-3676

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