A neighbor’s two dogs attacked a man inside his apartment in North Mission Viejo, the morning of September 6, 2012, near the corner of Santa Margarita and Marguerite. According to a news report in The Mission Viejo Patch, the dog bite incident involving two pit bulls occurred in the apartment located in the 21600 block of Marguerite Parkway. The victim was bitten in the back of the leg. His wife told police that the dogs took a “chunk of meat out of her husband’s leg.” Officials are still investigating this incident. It is not clear if the dogs’ owners will face charges.
My thoughts and prayers are with the injured dog bite victim. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Dog Bite Statistics
Each year, 4.7 million people are injured in dog bite incidents throughout the United States. Also, each year, 800,000 Americans seek medical attention for dog bites. Of those injured, 386,000 require treatment in an emergency department and about 16 die from their injuries. Injury rates for children are significantly higher than adults.
Dog Bite Law
Based on this news report, it is not clear what the circumstances of the attack were. The report states that the neighbors may have been fighting. I trust officials are looking into what caused this attack. Under California’s strict liability statute, dog owners can be held financially liable for the damages caused by their pets. 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.”
Compensation for Dog Bite Victims
In such cases, injured victims can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, permanent injuries, cosmetic surgery, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Victims would be well advised to contact an experienced Mission Viejo dog bite lawyer, who will help hold the negligent dog owners liable for the injuries and damages caused. In dog bite cases that occur in apartment complexes, the property owner may also be held liable if it is determined that he or she knew that a tenant was keeping dangerous animals on the property.