[08-23-2021] Riverside County, CA – Animal Control Officer Injured After Getting Bitten By Pit Bulls on Box Springs Mountain Reserve Park

An animal control officer identified as Michael C. was seriously injured after getting bitten by a pair of pit bulls roaming in a Riverside property last August 23.

The accident happened at approximately 11:00 a.m. The officer was called to the 2500 block of Mount Vernon Avenue, on the west side of Box Springs Mountain Reserve Park after receiving a complaint about four dogs on someone’s vacant but fenced property.

When the officer approached the dogs, they reportedly initially seemed friendly but one of them suddenly latched onto his right leg and bit him. The second pit bull then joined in the attack and also bit the officer.

Emergency personnel was later called to the scene as well as more animal control officers and police. The officer was rushed to Riverside Community Hospital to be treated for his dog bite injuries. He is expected to fully recover.

Three to four dogs were reportedly impounded as a result of the incident. A microchip was found in one of the dogs that had been impounded. The owner, an apparently homeless woman whose name was withheld, was sought for questioning and was issued citations for allegedly failing to license the dogs.

The whereabouts of the fourth pit bulls are unknown at the moment. Local authorities are further investigating the case. Anyone that can give additional information about the accident is urged to contact the Department of Animal Services at 951-358-7387, or the Riverside Police Department, 951-354-2007.

Dog Bite Attack Statistics

Dogs, especially well-trained ones with a calm demeanor, are generally predictable creatures. Some dogs, on the other hand, may bite without apparent cause, while others may become aggressive in response to a specific stimulus. In the United States, there are 4.5 million dog bites each year, and of those, 800,000 require medical attention, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

In 2019, there were approximately 328.2 million people living in the United States. This means that one person in every 73 is bitten by a dog. Unfortunately, when it comes to fatal dog bites, California comes in second behind Texas. A study by DogsBite.org shows that between 2005 and 2008, 28 people in our state were killed by dogs. Pit bulls were involved in 82% of the attacks.

Dog bites are often violent and hectic events, sometimes with more than one dog attacking the victim. If the victim survives the attack, he or she will likely have puncture wounds, scratches, or crush injuries. If the dog’s vaccinations were not up-to-date, the dog bite victim may have to receive a rabies shot or other treatments to avoid infection. Puncture wounds from dog bites can be very painful and take weeks to heal.

Personal Injury Attorney for Victims of Dog Bites in Riverside County

Every state follows its own statutes when someone’s dog bites another person. California law Section 3342 outlines the legal processes in a dog bite case. It states that the owner of a dog is liable for damages a person suffers due to a bite from the dog in a public place or a private place that the person was lawfully within.

California’s dog bite law is a strict liability statute. That means the courts will hold the dog’s owner strictly liable for the actions of his/her dog. A dog owner cannot use the defense that he or she had no prior knowledge of the dog’s viciousness, as this is irrelevant to the law.

It also does not matter if the dog’s owner took steps to prevent a dog bite. If the dog bites someone, the owner is strictly liable for damages unless the person was trespassing on private property at the time of the attack. This is the only exception.

This means that if someone’s dog bit you in California, odds are that person will have to pay for your medical bills and other damages. The most important thing to do after a dog attack is to seek medical attention. The faster doctors treat these injuries, the better your prognosis may be. Then, contact a skilled dog bite attorney in California, such as Arash Law.

We can help you pursue compensation. Our consultations are always free, and confidential – call us at (888) 488-1391. We’re proud to offer our no-win, no-fee services throughout the state with offices in Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange County, San Francisco, Sacramento, and San Diego just to name a few.