Marilyn Reyes, 65, was severely injured in a dog bite incident when a pit bull attacked her in her place of work. The Orange County Register reports that Reyes, an employee at a Garden Grove Elementary School, was attacked the afternoon of June 8, 2010, after a pit bull entered the school’s office through an open door. Reyes was bitten several times as she tried to prevent the animal from coming inside. She sustained puncture wounds to her arm and leg and had to be rushed into emergency surgery after her artery was ruptured by one of the bites.
Brutal Dog Attack
Authorities shot the dog with a tranquilizer and took it into custody. The dog owner has been identified and officials are investigating the incident in order to determine if he should face charges. The dog has been quarantined at Orange County Animal Care.
My heart goes out to Reyes and her family. It is frightening to think about how this incident might have turned out had the dog wandered into school grounds and attacked the 200 or so children who were apparently in after-school care. I hope and pray that Reyes has not sustained any catastrophic injuries and that she recovers quickly and completely from this ordeal.
Dog Owner Liability
If the details of this news report are accurate, it appears that the dog escaped from its owner’s house through a door that was left open and wandered into the school. In such cases, dog owners can be held liable for injuries caused by their pets.
California has what is known as a “strict liability statute” when it comes to dog bites. 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 victim in these types of incidents can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional trauma and even cost of cosmetic surgery. In many cases, the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance coverage will also be able to compensate the injured victim. An experienced Garden Grove personal injury lawyer should advise victims and their families about their legal rights and options.
Do you believe California should make breed bans legal? Should pit bulls and other “dangerous breeds” be banned?
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.