Dominic Solesky and Scotty Mason, then 10 and 9 years old, pit bull mauling victims at the center of the high court ruling, Tracey v. Solesky, are holding a Bowl-a-Thon event to raise awareness of Maryland’s One Free Bite rule during National Dog Bite Prevention Week.
Towson, MD May 16, 2013 – The Solesky family, whose landmark court case, Tracey v. Solesky led to an appellate court decision that declared pit bulls “inherently dangerous,” teams up with the Mason family to sponsor a Bowl-a-Thon to raise awareness of Maryland’s “One Free Bite” rule during National Dog Bite Prevention Week. The Bowl-a-Thon is scheduled for Saturday, May 25th from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm at Brunswick Perry Hall Lanes in Baltimore.
Dominic Solesky and Scotty Mason have fully recovered from the dog mauling and dog bite injuries they sustained on April 28, 2007. Now, the teenagers are ready to bowl to raise awareness about dog bite statistics and the laws addressing dog bite injuries. The two boys have been busy for three weeks gathering sponsors for the event. All funds raised will be donated to the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center and DogsBite.org.
Fact sheets will be handed out at the event to inform dog bite victims, their family members and friends about the three levels of dog bite injury: dog bites, severe dog bites and dog maulings. The most extreme injury, the dog mauling, requires trauma level medical procedures to enable the victim to survive.
The fact sheets also provide insights for all Maryland residents about the “One Free Bite” rule and what it means to individuals. The pamphlet reads in part, “In order to receive compensation, the victim is burdened with proving that the dog owner knew or should have known of the dog’s vicious propensity. The easiest way to do this is by a previous documented bite by the dog.”
Due to the landmark ruling in Tracey v. Solesky, owners of pit bulls are now held liable for the first bite. “Victims attacked by pit bulls no longer have to prove the dog’s prior vicious propensity,” the fact sheet states. “This became law in 2012, after the highest court in Maryland ruled that pit bulls are ‘inherently dangerous.’” Over 30 states have adopted similar strict liability rules making dog owners liable for the first bite. In Maryland, however, dog bite victims of breeds other than pit bulls, are still confronted with the one free bite standard, often leaving them without recourse to recover compensation for their injuries.
The Solesky and Mason families are excited about Saturday’s Bowl-a-Thon and encourage parents, families, dog bite victims, community activists and members of the media to stop by. Join both families at the Bowl-a-Thon on May 25th from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm at Brunswick Perry Hall Lanes on Ebenezer Road in the Perry Hall Square Shopping Center to help raise awareness of the three levels of dog bite injury and Maryland’s “one free bite” rule during National Dog Bite Prevention Week.
May 25, 2013
11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Brunswick Perry Hall Lanes
4359 Ebenezer Road
Baltimore, MD 21236
For additional information contact Tony Solesky at 410-790-9048