[12-08-2022] Fresno County, CA – 8-Year-Old Injured After Dog Attack in Bakersfield

An 8-year-old girl was injured after a pitbull attacked her in south Bakersfield on Thursday afternoon, December 8, 2022.

The accident reportedly occurred around 5:00 p.m. on Berryessa Court.

According to authorities, the child was entering her home when the stray dog bit her.

The child’s mother and a neighbor attempted to free the victim, but the dog refused.

Another neighbor went and shot a single round, killing the dog.

Investigations revealed that the girl suffered minor to moderate injuries.

Meanwhile, the pit bull lacked a microchip and had no known owner. Bakersfield Animal Control was called to the location.

Details on the accident are ongoing.

Dog Bite Injury Statistics

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that an estimated 4.5 million Americans are dog bite victims annually, with more than 800,000 requiring medical attention due to dog attacks. Children account for at least half of all bite victims.

California ranked highest in dog bite fatalities in 2019. In 2018, 36 dog attacks claimed the lives of 15 children and 21 adults.

Dogs can attack in various ways, such as biting, scratching, and knocking down. Dog bites occur when a dog bite causes bodily injury to a person. Infection, deformity, temporary or permanent damage, and even death can result from bites.

Dog attack laws differ from state to state. Section 3342 of the California Penal Code outlines the actions that must be completed in court when a dog bite case arises. Under this section, those who suffer losses resulting from dog bites in a public or private setting when the dog’s owner was lawfully present are accountable.

People should be cautious when petting other dogs because dogs bite so regularly. Even though some dogs can still bite if not provoked, keeping calm and avoiding physical contact is essential.

Dog Bite Lawyers for Victims in Bakersfield

Dog bites are frequently aggressive and tense, especially when multiple dogs are involved. If the attack victim survives, they will likely have puncture wounds, scratches, or crush injuries.
If the dog’s immunizations are no longer current, the bite victim may need a rabies vaccine or additional treatments to avoid infection.

Dog bite puncture wounds can be excruciatingly painful and take weeks to heal. After a dog attack, the most crucial thing to do is get medical assistance. The sooner doctors treat these wounds, the better your chances. Once that has been done, seek the advice of an experienced dog bite attorney.

Contact our firm for assistance if a dog bite has caused you, or a loved one physical or psychological pain. Given their familiarity with California’s dog bite laws, our Bakersfield dog bite lawyers will help you file a claim against the dog’s owner.

Call us at (888) 488-1391 to set up a private, no-obligation consultation, or fill out the online form under “Do I Have a Case” on our website to speak with one of our experienced attorneys.