California Injury Blog
A 21-year-old man who suffered severe injuries in a dog attack involving a shelter dog is suing the organization, Labrador and Friends, and the County of San Diego.
According to a 10News report, the 21-year-old man and his family attended an adoption event in Scripps Ranch hosted by the nonprofit on December 20, 2014.
They brought home a Labrador from the event.
Failure to Disclose Information
The lawsuit alleges that while the organization gave them some information, the dog’s veterinary records, his chip and other life history, they left out one critical detail
– that the dog had attacked a woman just two weeks before the family brought him home.
The lawsuit also alleged that the organization did not give them the information even though they knew about it. In the prior attack, on December 8, 2014, the dog had attacked a woman and inflicted a severe bite almost severing one of her fingers.
On January 24, 2015, the dog attacked again, this time severely injuring the 21-year-old man tearing his nose right off. His family told ABC news that had the man been younger or a child, the injuries could have been much worse. He still has one more surgery and other laser procedures to undergo in order to repair the injuries and scars.
The family has said they would never have adopted the dog had they known it had just recently attacked someone else.
Dog Bite Injury and Liability
Under California’s strict liability statute, dog owners can be held liable for the injuries and damages caused by their pets. If the allegations in this case are true, then, the nonprofit did a great disservice to the adopting family because they not only put those family members in danger of getting attacked, but also exposed them to liability.
Had the dog attacked a neighbor or passerby, the dog owners, in this case the family, could have been held financially responsible for the injuries and damages caused.
As San Diego dog bite attorneys, we know the damages and devastation dog attacks can unleash on victims and their families. Dog attacks can result in serious injuries that can leave a victim scarred and disfigured for life.
In many cases, victims may need multiple surgeries and cosmetic procedures, which may not all be covered by insurance. The physical, emotional and financial strain on dog bite victims can be significant.
This is all the more reason why shelters or nonprofits that rescue dogs and place them in loving homes should be honest and forthright with those who wish to adopt these animals.