On Monday afternoon, a Transylvania County Sheriff’s deputy was attacked by a dog while responding to a disturbance call at a residence off of East Fork Road. Very little information about this incident has been released, but initial reports indicate that the deputy was attacked shortly after arriving on the scene. According to WLOS ABC News Channel 13, a pit bull attacked the deputy several times. The deputy reportedly tried to push the dog away, but on the third attempt drew his firearm to protect himself.

Dangerous Dog Strikes Again

The deputy sustained a bite to his side before using his left hand to prevent the dog’s next lunge. The deputy fired on the dog three times. Two of the bullets struck and killed the dog, and another one hit his own hand. The deputy was transported to the hospital for treatment of injuries. He is expected to have surgery on his hand at the end of the week. The owners of the dog were arrested for dangerous dog attacking a person. Upon investigation, it was determined that the dog had only just been released from quarantine a few days earlier due to attacking somebody in another county.

Dog Bite Statistics

Dogs bite approximately 4.5 million people each year.

Young children, five to nine years old, are the most likely age group to be bitten by dogs.

North Carolina ranks 14th in the U.S. for dog bites.

Children make up more than 50 percent of all dog bite victims.

Insurance provider State Farm has paid more than $1 billion for dog-related injury claims over the past decade.

Dog Bite Injuries in Asheville

Dog bites and attacks can leave victims with severe lacerations, infections, tissue damage and other injuries. In addition to the physical trauma of a dog bite, being attacked by “man’s best friend” is often very painful psychologically and emotionally. If you have been injured by a dog bite or if you have lost a loved one due to a dog attack in or around the Asheville area, contact the skilled and proven team at Davis Law Group, P.A. at 828-303-2842 for a free case consultation.