The Devastation of Dog Bites
Dogs and other animals that serve as pets can be just as prone to unpredictable and dangerous behavior as their counterparts in the wild. Roughly 2% of the entire population of the United States, or over 5 million people, are bitten by dogs every year. 12-15 of these incidents every year prove fatal to the victim. Many of these attacks occur right at the animal owner’s residence, with 65% of dog bites occurring due to the animal being unchained while on the owner’s property.
Determining Liability
Approximately 20% of the attacks that occur involve an unrestrained dog away from their owner’s premises. As it is wholly the responsibility of the pet owner to ensure their animals are properly restrained and unable to harm others, they can be held liable for another’s injuries if their pet attacks or bites someone. In addition, there are special rules for particularly violent breeds, such as Pit Bulls and Rottweilers.
An owner can also be liable for injuries their dog causes to a visitor to their property, and in some cases, they may be held responsible for injuries inflicted upon a child who wanders onto their property. There a variety of negligent circumstances that lead to dog bites, and if you or your child have been injured, do not hesitate to contact a skilled member of our team who can represent you and fight for the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Tips to Protect Your Family
Children are naturally curious and attracted to animals, and tragically, this makes them common victims of dog attacks. Dogs are powerful and sometimes very aggressive, but there are a few ways you help protect yourself and your little ones:
- Teach your kids to always ask the dog’s owner if they can pet the animal, and if there is no owner in sight, they should stay away.
- Caution your children to never approach an animal that is caged, chained, or tied up, as tethered dogs tend to be more aggressive because they feel stressed and vulnerable.
- Warn your little ones not to touch or go near a dog that is eating or a mother nursing puppies.
- Show your children how to properly interact with dogs, and teach them how to treat the animals kindly.
- If approached or charged by a dog that seems agitated or aggressive, do not make eye contact and stay still and calm, with your arms at your sides. Move to safety when possible and report the dog to animal control.
- Never leave your children unsupervised with a dog, even your family pet.
Pursuing Compensation for Your Injuries
Animal bites can result in catastrophic injuries, such as lacerations and abrasions, bone fractures, muscle and nerve damage, and horrible facial scars. These injuries can be costly, and as the victim of such an attack, you should not be responsible for the costs needed for recovery. The Medler Law Firm understands how difficult it can be after you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury or a wrongful death, at the hands of a vicious animal, and we fight adamantly for your rights. To discuss your situation and determine your legal options, do not hesitate to call our firm at your earliest convenience.
If you or your loved one was bitten by a dog anywhere in California or near any of these cities & communities, call us right now for a no-obligation case review. You may be entitled to negligence-based compensation.
There is never any fee until we win your case:
Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Coto de Caza, Cypress, Dana Point, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine, La Habra, La Palma, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Las Flores, Los Alamitos, Midway City, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, North Tustin, Orange, Orange County, Placentia, Rancho Cucamonga, Rancho Santa Margarita, Rossmoor, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara, Seal Beach, Stanton, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster, Westwood, Yorba Linda
