Police in Antioch are still searching for the owner of two pit bulls who they say attacked and injured four people. According to a news report in the San Jose Mercury News, police short and killed one of the attacking dogs and captured the other one. The dogs involved in the attack were either pit bulls or pit bull mixes. Police say the dogs attacked as a man was walking his two dogs on a trail near the 2700 block of Larkspur Drive the night of October 31, 2013.
The man was approaching the street when the pit bulls attacked him. The pit bulls not only bit the man and his two dogs, but also bit three neighbors who came to the victim’s aid. All four dog-bite victims were treated for their injuries and are expected to recover. Police shot one of the dogs when it charged them. The other dog will be euthanized if not claimed by its owner.
It is indeed fortunate that all the victims of this dog attack are recovery. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Dog Bite Statistics
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that dogs bite about 4.5 million people each year. Almost one in five of those who are bitten, or about 885,000 require medical attention for dog bite-related injuries of which half are children. In 2010, more than 27,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery as a result of being bitten by dogs.
Liability of Dog Owners
California has a “strict liability statute” when it comes to dog bites. This means that when your dog attacks and injures someone, you can be held financially responsible for the injuries, damages and losses caused. 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.”
Injured dog bite victims can seek compensation to cover damages including medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, rehabilitation, cost of reconstructive surgeries, pain and suffering and emotional distress. Victims of dog attacks would also be well advised to contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer who will ensure that the negligent dog owners are held liable. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.