California Injury Blog
Dawn Fenner, a resident of San Marcos, says she and her pet were injured in a dog attack when they were walking home near Pyramid Lake. According to a 10News.com report, Fenner says an off-leash pit bull charged at her and her dog. The pit bull tried to get a hold of her dog when she put her hands between her dog’s backside and the pit bull’s mouth, trying to protect her pet. Fenner said she was covered in blood.
When Fenner posted her encounter on social media, other neighbors commented saying they had similar encounters with the same dog. One woman wrote she was attacked by the pit bull in late December. She said the dog charged from the yard and attacked her and her dog. Fenner is hoping that her story will help warn her neighbors about the dangerous dog and spark an investigation into the dog’s owner.
Dog Bite Laws
Dog bites often result in serious injuries including cuts, broken bones, puncture wounds, scarring and disfigurement. Under California’s strict liability statute, dog owners can be held financially responsible for injuries, damages and losses caused by their pets, even if the animal had not acted out before the said incident.
California Civil Code Section 3342 (a) 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.”
Compensation for Injured Victims
If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attack, there are a number of steps you can take to protect your rights. First, get medical attention for your injuries. Try to obtain the dog owner’s name, address and contact information. If possible get licensing information for the dog. This will help identify the dog and the owner as well as track down prior attacks by the same animal. Report the incident promptly to your local animal control agency or police department.
Try to get as much physical evidence from the scene as possible. Secure contact information for anyone who might have witnessed the dog attack. Contact an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer who can help you seek and obtain compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, cost of cosmetic surgery, permanent injuries, pain and suffering and emotional distress.