Man, 26, Killed in Dog Attack at Mira Mesa Park
SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. (Dec. 17, 2024) — Pedro Ortega, 26, died Friday in Mira Mesa when his own dogs attacked him while walking them at Mesa Viking Park on Westonhill Drive.
The fatal dog attack happened at noon on Friday, December 13th near the victim’s Mira Mesa home, according to the Times of San Diego.
The attack happened in front of his 4-year-old son as they were walking three dogs at the park on Westonhill Drive, the San Diego Medical Examiner said.
The dogs attacked the man for unknown reasons and bystanders attempted to stop it but were unable to put an end to the attack. Police arrived and were able to use an electric stun gun to disperse the mix of Bull Mastiff XL dogs, the news report said. One dog showed by at a nearby home with blood all over it and taser darts in its body. Police were called and the dogs were eventually taken away and euthanized.
Paramedics transported the injured man to Scripps Memorial Hospital Emergency Department, but he later died from his injuries.
Meanwhile, a second person was treated at the hospital for serious bite wounds they sustained as they were trying to stop the dog attack, the San Diego Humane Society said.
Finally, the Humane Society has no record of previous attacks by these dogs.
This is the third dog attack in a week here in Southern California involving a serious injury or death. One attack in Victorville on Dec. 15th, left the dog’s owner with severe injuries and he could lose his arm. His own two American XL Bullies attacked him for unknown reasons.
A 5-year-old girl was attacked in her backyard by her family’s Rottweiler and a Rottweiler mix dogs in Los Angeles County. She was taken to the hospital where she later died the same day on Dec. 8th.
Finally, two men and a woman were attacked by dogs at a Norwalk home and suffered minor to moderate injuries.
Dog Bite Attacks in California
Related: Jury Awards $20 Million in San Luis Obispo County Lawsuit
Every day, roughly one thousand people are treated at hospitals in the United States for dog bite injuries or attacks. Our state ranks second in the country for the number of injuries and deaths due to vicious dog attacks. Overall, nationwide there are roughly 4.5 million dog attacks annually.
Also, in 2020, U.S. homeowners insurance policies paid victims of dog attacks some $854 million in liability claims, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
Johnson Attorneys Group handles personal injury claims due to dog bite attacks, trip and fall accidents, and other incidents. We do not represent any of the parties mentioned above. We do not intend to represent any of the parties. If you would like to contribute to this story or you have legal questions, please contact us.
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