California Injury Blog
Two people were hospitalized with injuries after a dog bite incident in the Hyde Park area of South Los Angeles, Fox News reports. The dog attacks involving three bullmastiff dogs occurred early morning on April 16, 2010 in the 4000 block of Slauson Avenue near West 58th Place. Eyewitnesses told news reporters that they heard someone screaming for their life. They saw a woman surrounded by three large dogs. A motorist who had stopped to help the woman was also attacked and bitten. Police officers who responded took one dog and shot another. Animal control officers caught a third dog.
My heart goes out to the two victims who were apparently seriously injured in this brutal dog attack. Another news report states that each of the dogs weighed about 100 pounds. These were large dogs. I hope that the dog bite victims have not been severely injured and pray that they recover quickly and completely.
Issue of Owner Negligence
Based on this news report, it appears that these three large dogs were running loose in the neighborhood posing a danger to all passers by. I trust officials are looking for the dogs’ owner or owners at this time. In these types of incidents where negligence is involved, the dog owner could be held accountable for personal injuries caused.
Dog Bite Law
Under California law, dog owners could be held financially responsible for injuries 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.”
Claim for Compensation
Injured victims in such dog bite cases could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, cosmetic surgery, and even psychological counseling. If the dog owner also owns a home, then his or her homeowner’s insurance should cover the loss and damages caused by the dog attack. An experienced Los Angeles dog bite attorney will be able to advise injured victims in such cases about their legal rights and options.
What precautions do you take in your neighborhood to prevent dog attacks? Do you believe there are dangerous or vicious dogs in your neighborhood?
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.