California Injury Blog
San Diego police officers responded to a dog attack on the evening of Oct. 21 in Point Loma, which left an 18-month-old child and two others injured.
According to an NBC San Diego news report, police arrived in the 2700 block of Wasp Way and found that three people including the toddler had been bitten by a Rottweiler. Officials said a 13-year-old girl whose family owns the dog, as well as the toddler and the child’s mother, were seriously injured.
Brutal Attack
The child and the mom were bitten on the arm while the teen who the dog attacked at home after the incident suffered less severe injuries. Officials with the San Diego Humane Society said the Rottweiler ran out of an open door from his home before attacking the mother and her child. The dog’s owner had received a running-at-large citation and the dog has been placed on a 10-day quarantine, officials said. All three injured victims were transported to an area hospital for treatment.
Officials said there would be a hearing during which the dog’s owner will be allowed to present information that will help make a determination. Requirements that may be placed range from displaying a “dangerous dog” sign outside the property to keeping the dog enclosed or muzzled to providing proof of liability insurance with the dog named in the policy and even surrendering the dog to be put down.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured victims. We wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Dog Bite Liability Issues
While criminal negligence charges are not common in California dog attack cases, it is important to remember that the state has 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.”
In such cases, injured victims can seek compensation from negligent owners for damages including medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, cost of cosmetic surgery, psychological counseling, permanent injuries (including disfigurement), pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Injured victims would be well advised to contact an experienced California dog bite lawyer who will fight for their rights and help secure maximum compensation for their losses.
Source: https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/three-taken-to-childrens-hospital-after-rottweiler-attack-in-san-diego/2757210/