Owner of Dangerous Dog Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison l Seattle Dog Bite Attorney

The owner of a dangerous dog, Travis Dean Cunningham, 36, recently pled guilty to owing two dangerous dogs and possessing a firearm in a separate case. 

Cunningham owned two pit bulls.  On September 8, 2008, the dogs attacked and maimed a 71-year-old woman who was standing in the yard of her SeaTac home.  The dogs caused massive injuries and damage to the woman by tearing into her face and extremities.  Her left ear was ripped from her head.  King County Sheriff deputies arrived and shot both dogs dead.

Cunningham’s sentence is lengthy in part because he had a firearms violation in a separate case.  He is also had a probation violation.

The police later discovered that Cunningham had confined the dogs in a kennel with an unlocked gate and missing boards.  According to neighbors, the dogs had escaped several times in the past before the attack.

According to court documents, Cunningham received a 5-year prison sentence because of the gun charge. 

Criminal convictions under the dangerous dog statute are very rare.  To prove that someone owned a dangerous dog, you must show that the owner knew his dog was dangerous or had a proclivity of inflicting serious harm on people.  Even if you can show this prior knowledge, the authorities are unlikely to prosecute unless the dog has inflicted grievous injury or death.

The dangerous dog statute does allow a person to own such an animal if the dog is confined so that it is impossible for it to harm another person.  The owner must also carrier an insurance policy of at least $250,000.  In my experience, most dangerous dog owners carry little if any insurance to cover catastrophic injuries that may be inflicted by their dogs.  Often times the dog attack victim is left with thousands of dollars in medical bills, not to mention permanent scarring and lasting emotional problems.

I recently published my new book, “When the Dog Bites: Understanding Dog Bite Law in Washington.”  The book will be available to dog bite victims.  Please visit www.WashingtonDogBiteBook.com or call 206.727.4000 for your free copy.