Three children were injured in a Fontana dog bite incident after they were brutally attacked by a pack of loose pit bull mixes. According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise, 5-year-old Destiny Colon was the most seriously injured in the attack, which occurred late afternoon on February 1, 2010, when Josie Arellano was walking to a neighborhood park with four of her children — Princess Colon, 7, Hector Perez, 6, Destiny, 5, and a 3-year-old. Arellano and the 3-year-old were the only ones uninjured in the attack. Hector and Princess sustained severe bites on their legs. Hector needed 235 stitches to close up his wounds while Princess needed 18 stitches.
Girl Sustains Major Injuries
My heart goes out to this family for the nightmare they have gone through. I especially sympathize with little Destiny who is still in the hospital with broken ribs, punctured lung and bite wounds, breathing with the help of a ventilator. She has already undergone several surgeries since the attack and has been heavily sedated for pain. It’s a miracle that she is alive. I truly hope she has not suffered catastrophic injuries and pray for her complete recovery. This traumatized family will certainly be in my thoughts and prayers.
Based on this news report, the dogs crawled under the fence and escaped from their home. In my opinion, the owner of these dogs should not only be held financially responsible for the injuries caused to these children, but also prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for not securing the dogs.
California Dog Bite Law and Liability Issues
Under California’s “strict liability statute” the owner should be held liable in this case. California’s Civil Code Section 3342 states: “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.”
Destiny’s family should certainly be talking to a reputed California dog bite lawyer who has a successful track record of financially pursuing dog owners for their negligence and protecting victims’ legal rights. This family could seek compensation for medical expenses, cost of hospitalization, medication, surgeries, rehabilitation and reconstructive surgery. In all probability Destiny and the other children would require psychological counseling to cope with this traumatic experience.
The Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.