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Dog bites are a significant public health concern in California, with many attacks reported in Southern California, particularly in San Diego. The San Diego County Department of Animal Services investigates at least 2,500 dog bite cases each year.
If you live in California and own a dog or if you have been injured by one, understanding the laws on owners’ civil liability as they relate to what happens after a dog bite is reported can be beneficial. Speaking with a dog bite attorney can also give you a clearer picture of your rights and what steps to take if you or your child has been hurt.
Each year, over 4.5 million people across the U.S. are bitten by dogs, and of the approximately 800,000 Americans who receive medical attention for dog bites, at least half are children. Children are the most common victims of dog or animal bites and are far more likely to be severely injured, particularly in the head or neck areas.
Most dog bites affecting younger children occur during everyday activities and while interacting with familiar dogs, like the family dog or a dog well-known to the family. Remember, as most dog bites involve familiar animals, prevention starts in your home. In cases where the responsible owner fails to take accountability, working with dog bite lawyers may help you explore your rights and legal options.
Dog Bites Are Preventable, Yet These Injuries Have Been On The Rise
Dog bites are a significant public health concern and may account for 40% of all pediatric traumas. According to a study by the NCBI, it was found that dog bites of the head and neck disproportionately affected pediatric patients. Among the dog breeds responsible for these head and neck injuries, one-third involved pit bull terriers, whose resulting injuries were more severe, had nearly twice the requirement for specialty consultation, and had a higher rate of surgical exploration and repair. Ultimately, their study aims to improve standardized early treatment and develop preventive measures for these resource-intensive injuries.
If you or your child has suffered from a severe bite, especially to the head or neck, consulting a dog bite lawyer can help you better understand your legal options. This will be especially helpful if you intend to file a claim for ongoing medical care or rehabilitation.
How To Prevent Dog Bites Involving Children
Almost one in every five people bitten by a dog requires medical attention. Children are more likely to suffer serious injuries because the majority of injuries occur in the head, face, or neck. Parents should be aware of some simple preventative measures for dog bites, including:
- Never leave a small child alone with a dog, regardless of whether it is the family dog, a dog you know, or a dog you have been assured is well-behaved. Any dog has the potential to bite.
- Allowing your child to play aggressive games with a dog, such as tug of war or wrestling, can result in the dog biting.
- Teach your child to always ask a dog owner for permission before petting a dog.
- Allow a dog to sniff you or your child before petting, and avoid touching the dog’s face or tail. Pet the dog gently and always try to avoid eye contact, especially at first.
- Never bother a dog that is asleep, eating, or caring for her puppies. Even if the person is familiar, dogs are more likely to react aggressively in these situations.
- Teach your child to approach dogs slowly and calmly.
- Teach your children that if a dog is behaving aggressively, such as growling and barking, they should remain calm and not approach it. They should avoid eye contact with the dog and back away slowly until the dog loses interest and leaves.
- If a dog knocks you or your child over, curl up in a ball, then shield your eyes and face with your arms & palms.
- Never run from a dog and scream.
Animals can be unpredictable. There is no guarantee that one wouldn’t bite you. If bitten, children should report the incident immediately to an adult.
How To Treat Dog Bites
Here are some recommendations on what to do if a dog bites your child:
- Request proof of rabies vaccination from the dog’s owner, along with the owner’s name and contact information. Additionally, request the name and phone number of a veterinarian familiar with the dog’s vaccination records and history.
- Wash the wound with soap and water right away.
- Call your pediatrician immediately, as the bite may require antibiotics, tetanus, and rabies shots. The doctor can also assist you in reporting the incident to the appropriate authorities.
- If your child has been severely bitten, dial 9-1-1 or take them to an emergency room for treatment.
- Prepare to tell the emergency department doctor about your child’s tetanus vaccination status, the dog’s vaccination status (or provide contact information for the dog’s veterinarian), the dog’s owner, and whether or not the dog has previously bitten.
- To facilitate proper healing, follow your pediatrician’s instructions.
Even after medical treatment, dog bite incidents can have long-term physical and emotional effects. Consulting experienced dog bite attorneys can help families understand their legal rights, especially if the bite caused serious injuries.
Recommendations For Dog Owners
- Spay or neuter your dog to reduce aggression.
- Properly socialize and train any dog entering the home.
- Seek professional advice (e.g., veterinarian, animal behaviorist, or animal trainer) if the dog develops aggressive or undesirable behaviors.
- Avoid playing aggressive games with your dog (e.g., wrestling, tug-of-war).
- Keep your dog on a leash when it is off your property.
Reporting A Dog Bite In California
Before consulting a dog bite attorney, it’s important to report the incident properly. Many dog bites in California go unreported each year out of loyalty to a friend, family member, or neighbor who owns the animal. Although it may seem disloyal, reporting a dog bite to the proper agency helps both the victim and society. If a dog in California has bitten you, you should immediately seek medical care and then report the bite to the appropriate agency.
Contact the Animal Control agency in your area to obtain instructions on how to submit a report. In addition, you may be told to report the dog bite to the local health department and the local police department. Reporting creates a paper trail that a lawyer for dog bite injuries can use later to support your case. If the dog can be identified, then vet records will reflect if the dog is current on its rabies shots. If it’s not current, or if the dog is a stray, you may need to get rabies shots yourself.
Report The Dog Bite To Your Local Animal Control, Then A Dog Bite Lawyer
Consider consulting with a personal injury attorney to obtain more information about pursuing your case or evaluating any settlement offer from a dog owner or insurance company. A skilled California dog bite lawyer can help you seek compensation for your injuries, including head injuries, neck injuries, or other harm under the law.
Because anyone who is bitten by a dog is at risk of getting rabies, consider contacting your local animal control agency or police department to report the incident, especially:
- If you don’t know if the dog has been vaccinated against rabies.
- If the dog appears sick or is acting strangely.
If the bite occurred on someone else’s property, premises liability may also apply. Injuries caused by a dog while on another person’s property can create grounds for a premises liability claim. Consulting experienced premises liability lawyers can help you understand your legal options and determine whether pursuing a claim is appropriate.
Whenever possible, contact the dog’s owner to verify that the animal has a current rabies vaccination, and keep a record of all medical treatment and communications, as this documentation can support your case. You will need the rabies vaccine license number, the name of the veterinarian who administered the vaccine, and the owner’s name, address, and phone number.
If a dog in California has bitten you or a loved one, call us at (888) 488-1391 or fill out our “Do I Have A Case?” form to schedule a free initial consultation with Arash Law’s team of dog bite lawyers.
