California Injury Blog
Hector Marroquin was seriously injured in a horrific dog attack after a pack of pit bulls bit him.
According to a news report, the dog bite incident occurred the evening of January 7, 2014 in an alley near Clinton Avenue and Bond Street in Southeast Fresno.
Marroquin said he was locking up the gate to his carport in the alley when four pit bulls
charged at him. One bit him in the leg and another jumped up to his back.
Fortunately, he was able to call 911. A police helicopter responded right away and video from the chopper shows the actual moment when the dogs charged at him again.
Dangerous Dogs
Marroquin said he has been attacked by the same dogs before, but this was the first time they bit him. The pit bulls ran back into their home, wiggling through a loose part of the fence, he said.
A deputy had to park his patrol car against the fence to keep the dogs from getting back out. Many neighbors have also said it is not the first time they have seen the loose dogs.
Since residents access carports and dumpsters through the alley, many neighbors and their children said they often run into the dogs.
The dog owner has been cited and fined under the county’s vicious dog ordinance and the dogs have been quarantined.
Dog Bite Law and Liability Issues
Under California law, dog owners can be held financially responsible for the injuries and 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.”
In this particular case, it appears that the dog owner failed to restrain or constrain his dogs despite repeated incidents where his pit bulls ran loose in the alley and terrorized neighbors.
Injured victims in such cases could seek compensation from the negligent dog owner for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, permanent injuries such as scarring and disfigurement, pain and suffering and emotional distress.
An experienced Fresno personal injury lawyer will be able to advise dog bite victims regarding their legal rights and options.