California Woman Loses Right Ear to Dog Bite Injury

Ventura, CAA California photographer is hoping that her decision to contact a dog bite lawyer will see her win some compensation for her pain, suffering and medical bills. Irene Rodwell allegedly lost part of her right ear to a dog bite in California earlier this year. The dog bite injury necessitated the complete amputation of her right ear, and Rodwell has required reconstructive surgery.

According to the lawsuit, which was filed at the end of November in Ventura County Superior Court, Rodwell was a photographer working a dog show at the Ventura County Fairgrounds on January 24 of this year. The event was hosted by the Ventura County Dog Fanciers Association (VCDFA). Rodwell had been hired as the photographer for the show.

The lawsuit, which was filed against the dog's owner and not against the VCDFA, alleges that at some point during the show, a dog, identified as a male Greater Swiss Mountain dog, attacked Rodwell without provocation while she was working the show.

The Escondido, California resident claims that 3.6 centimeters of her right ear were ripped off during her dog bite personal injury. Following the amputation, Rodwell required reconstructive surgery. She is seeking a sum in excess of $25,000 for damages against the dog's owner, Joy Lazarus of Agoura Hills.

In an unrelated story, KTXL TV in Sacramento reported that a Pit Bull attacked a horse in Old Sacramento on December 21. The fate of the horse was not reported, but the offending Pit Bull was shot. While Pit Bull owners are up in arms over the shooting and are defending the breed, KTXL noted that of 350 dog bites in the City of Sacramento alone in 2010, 36 percent of the dog bite injuries were inflicted by Pit Bulls—the highest percentage of any single breed.

Dog bite lawsuits, and quite simply the heartbreaking injury suffered by adults, children and other animals at the jaws of Pit Bulls have resulted in not only various laws on dog bites, but in the banning of the Pit Bull breed altogether in some cities. Denver has enacted a complete ban on Pit Bulls, while in San Francisco Pit Bulls are still allowed, but are required to be spayed or neutered immediately. KTXL notes that the policy has reduced the number of Pit Bull attacks in San Francisco by 21 percent.