[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/blog\/78-year-old-woman-severely-injured-in-pit-bull-attack\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/blog\/78-year-old-woman-severely-injured-in-pit-bull-attack\/","headline":"78-Year-Old Woman Severely Injured in Pit Bull Attack","name":"78-Year-Old Woman Severely Injured in Pit Bull Attack","description":"A 78-year-old woman suffered severe injuries to her head, neck and arms after being attacked by a pit bull in New Haven on July 4. According to the New Haven Fire Chief, the woman was the landlord of the property on Hubinger Street where the attack happened. The pit bull belonged to a new tenant […]","datePublished":"2023-05-15","dateModified":"2026-03-11","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/blog\/author\/damico\/#Person","name":"D Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC","url":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/blog\/author\/damico\/","identifier":11,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5c310c9f3211b0da1ea34789a06a7cc25b8bbeed0ab4f1ca7b77036b32d8bb35?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5c310c9f3211b0da1ea34789a06a7cc25b8bbeed0ab4f1ca7b77036b32d8bb35?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"D\u2019Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/logo-header.svg","url":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/logo-header.svg","width":0,"height":0}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/animal-705991_1920.jpg","url":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/animal-705991_1920.jpg","height":1280,"width":1920},"url":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/blog\/78-year-old-woman-severely-injured-in-pit-bull-attack\/","about":["Personal Injury"],"wordCount":773,"articleBody":"A 78-year-old woman suffered severe injuries to her head, neck and arms after being attacked by a pit bull in New Haven on July 4.According to the New Haven Fire Chief, the woman was the landlord of the property on Hubinger Street where the attack happened. The pit bull belonged to a new tenant to the property who was introducing the dog and attempting to acclimate it when it attacked around 1:20 p.m.Neighbors reported hearing the woman scream and rushed to her aid to try to get the dog off of her.Although the woman\u2019s injuries were considered non-life threatening, medical officials have called them serious due to her age and the significant amount of blood she lost. She remains in critical condition at the hospital and has reportedly consulted a plastic surgeon.The dog has been quarantined by New Haven Police Department Animal Control, but the owner has not been charged as the animal was not loose and the incident occurred on private property.However, although no criminal charges have been filed, it may still be possible to hold the dog\u2019s owner liable for the woman\u2019s injuries, which could help cover the costs associated with her medical care and other expenses associated with her injuries.If you have been injured by a dog, our trusted personal injury lawyers can advise you of your legal rights and options. Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now.New Haven Dog Bite LawsTuesday\u2019s dog attack is the second reported incident in New Haven in just over a year. Last June, a woman died after being mauled by two dogs on Ella T. Grasso Boulevard.After a week in the hospital, the woman died from injuries to the head, neck, torso and extremities. The dogs were owned by her friend who was not charged in connection with the attack.The fatal mauling led to changes in emergency response to dog attacks. All animal calls are now considered priority 1 calls, which include responders from the fire department, police, EMS and animal control.The attack also prompted proposals to the Board of Alders to explore potential updates to the city\u2019s dog ordinances. The proposed changes would update the city\u2019s laws to be similar to those in New Britain, which define and place restrictions on \u201cdangerous dogs.\u201dUnder the law, a \u201cvicious\u201d or \u201cdangerous\u201d dog would include any animal that has bitten, injured or attacked a human without provocation. That definition, however, would not include attacks in which the dog was protecting or defending a person from attack.Dogs with these labels would require special restrictions, such as microchips, registration as a vicious or dangerous dog, and posted signs where the dog lives.The law would not ban specific breeds, however, as that is not allowed under Connecticut law.In May, the Public Safety Commission recommended using several provisions from New Britain\u2019s laws and the topic was scheduled for discussion in the Board of Alders meeting.Dog Bite Liability in ConnecticutConnecticut\u2019s dog bite laws state that a dog\u2019s owner or keeper can be held liable for any damages or injuries caused by his or her dog. This rule applies unless the victim was teasing, tormenting or abusing the dog or was trespassing on the property.The state\u2019s dog bite statute (Connecticut General Statutes Section 22-357) is a strict liability statute, which means the victim does not need to prove that the owner or keeper was negligent or knew that the dog was vicious. They are strictly liable for the actions of their dogs regardless of the owner or keeper\u2019s actions or intentions.However, dog bite cases can also be brought under a common law negligence theory, which would require the victim to prove that the defendant knew or should have known the dog was vicious. This allows people other than the dog\u2019s owner or keeper to be held liable for a dog bite, including the landlord if he or she knew a tenant\u2019s dog was vicious.Contact Our Personal Injury LawyersAfter a dog bite, you should consider seeking legal counsel to determine your options for obtaining compensation for your injuries and damages. Our personal injury lawyers are experienced in handling these types of cases and are familiar with the laws that apply.We may be able to help you obtain the compensation you need, such as payment for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages.Contact D\u2019Amico Pettinicchi Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights. We do not get paid unless we recover compensation for you."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"78-Year-Old Woman Severely Injured in Pit Bull Attack","item":"https:\/\/damicopettinicchi.com\/blog\/78-year-old-woman-severely-injured-in-pit-bull-attack\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]