Committed to Fighting for the Rights of Dog Bite Victims
A growing number of dog attacks are pitting pet owners against concerned citizens. Dog attacks can be fatal, and dog owners may face serious legal consequences for their dogs’ actions. If you have suffered from a dog bite attack, consult with a Los Angeles dog attack lawyer to seek compensation for your pain and suffering after such a traumatic experience.
Dog Bite Cases
In Fontana, four dogs mauled a 5-year-old girl and bit two other children. The 5-year-old girl was placed on life support after the attack. She suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung. Her 6-year-old brother required 235 stitches to close the wounds from bites to his legs. The dogs, all pit bulls or mixed-breed pit bulls, were euthanized, and the district attorney’s office is considering criminal charges against the dog’s owner.
In nearby Hemet, city staffers are investigating a string of reports about dog attacks on people and other pets. They are considering new vicious dog ordinances. California state law prohibits cities or counties from banning specific dog breeds, but municipalities can require certain breeds to be spayed or neutered. They can also limit the number of dogs on a property.
Bans and Law Changes for Dogs
Instead of banning certain dog breeds, California penalizes the owners of vicious dogs. The state has relatively strict laws regarding dog bites. Unlike some states, California dog owners can be held liable for an attack even without evidence of negligence. Owners can also be liable for attacks even if they can prove the dog had never previously exhibited aggressive behavior.
The California Civil Code establishes strict liability against Dog Owners. California Civil Code Section 3342(a) provides:
“(a) The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness. A person is lawfully upon the private property of such owner within the meaning of this section when he is on such property in the performance of any duty imposed upon him by the laws of this state or by the laws or postal regulations of the United States, or when he is on such property upon the invitation, express or implied, of the owner…”
Owners may be forced to compensate dog-bite victims for injuries, past and future medical bills, loss of earnings, future plastic surgery, punitive damages, and pain and suffering damages. The law also covers injuries caused when people are knocked over by an uncontrolled dog. Moreover, dog walkers and others in control of dogs may also be legally liable.
Regardless of the breed, dog bites can disfigure, disable, spread infections, break bones, and even fracture skulls. The Centers for Disease Control estimate that 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs every year, and dog bites kill an estimated 15 to 20 Americans every year.
If you are a dog owner and your dog has attacked someone accidentally or intentionally, Contact a Los Angeles dog bite attorney immediately to discuss your case. We have flexible scheduling and compassionate attorneys.
Prev
