5 out of 5 on
Dog Attack in Laguna Niguel
http://www.ocregister.com/news/police-224728-woman-friend.html
An unidentified Orange County woman was attacked by a 7-year-old Shiba Inu dog on Wednesday afternoon, the Orange County Register reports. It is unclear as to whether the woman was in her own yard or a neighbor’s yard when the attack occurred on Via San Sebastian in Laguna Niguel.
Sheriff’s deputies shot and killed the dog after arriving at the scene, while the woman was hospitalized with extensive injuries that will require several surgeries.
As California is a “strict liability state”, the dog’s owner is liable for the injuries inflicted by the Shiba Inu, even if the owner was not negligent in the circumstances of the attack. California law states (CCP 342 (a)) :
The owner of a 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 owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog, or the owner’s knowledge of such visciousness…
If you’ve been the victim of a dog bite attack, please contact experienced dog bite attorneys to discuss your legal options. At your free initial consultation, our attorneys will answer your questions with care and concern, while ensuring that you receive the best possible representation throughout the duration of your case.
Victim of Dog Attack to Sue Laguna Hills and Orange County Animal Care Services
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/dogs-christian-county-2609339-suit-one
The Orange County Register reports that a 62-year-old Laguna Hills ophthalmologist, who was attacked by three bull mastiffs in Laguna Hills last December, is suing the city of Laguna Hills as well as Orange County’s Animal Care Services for negligence, claiming city and county officials knew that the dogs were dangerous due to complaints previously filed about the trio of vicious dogs.
The victim claims that she was walking around her mother’s neighborhood when the three dogs, each weighing between 95 and 130 pounds, attacked her for approximately ten minutes while neighbors attempted to halt the attack by kicking the dogs and hitting them over the head with a shovel. The dogs, which were euthanized later that day, caused severe physical injuries which prevented the woman from working and led to great emotional distress, the lawsuit contends.
City and county attorneys argue they are not liable for the attack due to state law, despite the several previous complaints regarding the dogs’ violent propensities.
According to the Center for Disease Control, 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year, and one in five dog bites results in injuries that require medical attention. A startling 31,000 Americans underwent reconstructive surgery due to dog bites in 2006 alone. Dog bite attacks are often serious and require intensive medical treatment. They can leave both physical and emotional scars that are difficult to surmount. Experienced dog bite attorneys will fight aggressively to get victims compensation for the damages – both economic and non-economic – associated with a dog bite injury.
Toddler Attacked by Pit bull
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/girl-macdonald-bull-2555401-pit-year
A three year old Fullerton girl remains hospitalized after being attacked by her family’s pet pit bull on Monday evening.
The toddler is in intensive care at the pediatric unit of Western Medical Center in Santa Ana, suffering from lacerations and wounds to her face and neck.
The girl’s family said their dog showed no previous signs of aggression.
Dog Attack in Huntington Beach
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/abrahams-police-dog-2508292-bite-beach
Laura Abrahams, 39, of Huntington Beach, was attacked by a city police dog on May 25 in Parker, Arizona, The Orange County Register reports. Abrahams sustained 2 cuts and a puncture wound which required between 20 and 30 stitches.
Abrahams has filed a claim for an undisclosed amount.
In California, the dog owner is liable for all injuries inflicted by his dog on a human being even if the owner was not negligent, according to the “strict liability statute”. California is currently one of the only states that carries a statute regarding dog bites, which was implemented to “…prevent dogs from being a hazard to the community”. The statute benefits victims of dog attacks, in that liability is automatically placed on the owner regardless of the specific circumstances of a claim.