California Injury Blog
A 12-year-old girl was injured in a dog bite incident in Riverside County, the afternoon of January 29, 2012. According to a news report in The Press Enterprise, the dog attack occurred near East Rider Street and Evans Road in Perris. Officials have quarantined the pit bull involved in the attack and the young victim has been hospitalized for her injuries. The extent of her injuries has not been reported and it is not clear if the dog’s owner will be cited or charged in connection with this attack.
My heart goes out to the girl who has been injured in this dog attack. I wish her the very best for a complete and speedy recovery.
Dog Bite Statistics
According to statistics compiled by DogsBite.org, there were 31 fatal dog attacks in the year 2011. Pit bulls were involved in 71 percent of all fatal dog bites that year. Pit bulls and rottweilers accounted for a combined 84 percent of all fatal dog bite incidents.
Dog Owner Responsibility
Based on this news report, the pit bull attacked and injured the girl. I trust officials are establishing if the animal was off its leash, where the owner was, and why the dog’s owner was unable to prevent the attack. Under California law, dog owners can be held liable for injuries their pets cause. 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.”
Liability Issues
The family of a child injured in a dog bite incident would be well advised to contact an experienced Riverside personal injury lawyer, who will stay on top of the official investigation and make sure that the child’s rights are protected. Injured dog bite victims can seek compensation from dog owners for medical expenses, cost of hospitalization, cosmetic surgery, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Dog bite victims can also receive compensation through a dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance policy.