Dog Bites

People in Linda are upset because a pit bull that attacked a 5-year-old girl will be returning to their neighborhood once its quarantine is over. The Marysville Appeal-Democrat reports that the dog attacked the girl on Monday after breaking through a fence. The bite sent the girl to the hospital, but she is now recovering at home. The child’s neighbor shot the pit bull in the face to protect the girl from additional injuries.

The dog’s owner plans to bring the dog home after its 10-day quarantine ends. The neighbor who shot the dog is organizing a campaign to keep the dog from returning to the community. A local daycare owner is also opposed to the dog’s return. The owner of the animal disputes some of the facts in this case. She claims that the victim was scratched, not bitten, and that her pit bull is friendly with children. A witness says that the victim was definitely attacked, as there was blood all over the yard.

If you are involved in a California dog attack, you should take several steps to minimize your injuries and protect yourself from serious harm after a dog bite.

• Wash the wound with soap and warm water.
• Take pictures of any injuries caused by the attack.
• Take pictures at the scene of the attack.
• Seek medical attention and contact animal control.
• Collect information from anyone who witnessed the attack.

Dog owners are responsible for keeping their pets properly restrained so that they do not bite people. If you or a loved one sustained serious injuries in a California dog bite attack, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries. The experienced San Jose dog bite injury attorneys at Van Der Walde & Associates have a track record of success in representing those who were injured in dog attacks. Call us at (877) 862-6288 to schedule an appointment to discuss your case.

Dog bites can be terrifying, especially for children. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 800,000 Americans seek medical care for dog bites each year, and nearly half of these need emergency care. Children are far more likely to be bitten by a dog than adults, and bites to children frequently occur on the face or neck.

California law holds dog owners liable if their dog bites another person, as long as the person who was bitten was legally on public or private property when the bite occurred. For example, a dog owner is liable if his dog bites a jogger in a public park or a guest at the owner’s house party, since these people are legally allowed on the property when they are bitten. A dog owner may not, however, be liable for a dog’s bite if the dog bites a trespasser or burglar.

Like many other states, California is a “strict liability” state when it comes to dog bites. Strict liability means that the owner is responsible even if he did not know the dog would bite and even if the dog has never bitten or shown any signs of aggressiveness in the past. The owner may even be liable even if he took steps to prevent the bite, such as keeping the dog on a leash.

Although dog bites are rarely fatal, they can cause serious injury and even scarring. If you or someone you love has been injured by a dog bite in California, please don’t hesitate to call the experienced dog bite injury attorneys in San Jose at Van Der Walde & Associates. Call us today at (877) 862-6228 for a free and confidential consultation.

According to The Contra Costa Times, a 78-year-old man was attacked by loose dogs in the Blossom Hill neighborhood of San Jose on December 29. The man said he did not hear the dogs approaching before the attack, and credits his survival to a neighbor who witnessed the attack and chased the dogs away. In the San Jose dog bite attack, the man says the dogs knocked him to the ground and he sustained severe bite wounds to his left ear, which required 10 stitches at a local hospital’s emergency room. He also suffered less serious bites to his right arm and head. San Jose animal control officials have taken one of the two dogs into custody and have begun a “dangerous dog attack” investigation into the incident based on the man’s injuries.

The dogs, a Labrador and a boxer, were a neighbor’s dogs from a house on the same street the man resides. Another resident of the neighborhood says the same two dogs attacked his German shepherd a few days before the man was attacked. That dog bite attack resulted in a $600 medical bill, and residents are worried the dogs could attack children next. If the man’s attack remains categorized as dangerous, rather than vicious, the dogs will likely be allowed to live, provided the owner purchases liability insurance and takes extra precautions to secure them. A public hearing will be scheduled to decide what should happen with the dogs and their owner.

This dog bite attack was the second in San Jose within the month of December. On December 20, a 41-year-old woman was mauled by two pit bulls in what has been called a “vicious attack” in San Jose. She suffered serious dog bite wounds to her hip and arm. The dogs involved in that attack may be euthanized, and the owner is facing stiff fines.

If you have been injured in a dog bite attack in San Jose, the San Jose dog bite lawyers at Van Der Walde & Associates can help you understand what legal options are available to you. Our attorneys will work hard to hold negligent dog owners legally responsible for your injuries and any resulting medical expenses. Call 877-862-6288 today to schedule a free consultation.

If you own a dog, it is your responsibility to make sure it doesn’t harm others. If your animal does injure an adult or child, you may be held liable for the injuries your dog caused in a court of law. Below are some helpful guidelines for dog owners to help prevent their animal from attacking others and causing others dog bite injuries:

• Consider your dog selection carefully. Consult with a local veterinarian to determine what dog’s behavior best suits you.
• Be sure to socialize your dog when it is young. This ensures the animal will be at ease around groups of people as well as other animals.
• Make sure your dog is well-trained and will obey your commands.
• Keep your animal healthy. Make sure the dog is properly vaccinated against diseases. Parasite control is vital in dictating how your animal feels and behaves.
• Neuter your dog, as neutered dogs are less likely to bite.
• Be alert when your animal is around others, and watch for signs that your dog may be feeling aggressive or threatened.

In Santa Cruz, there are many city parks, many of which are off-leash dog parks, where dogs are allowed off their leashes during specific hours or all the time. Since the Santa Cruz City Council approved several additional off-leash dog parks in 2008, no problems, including dog bites or attacks, have been reported at these parks. If you take your animal to these locations, do your part as a responsible dog owner and help continue to keep these parks safe for everyone. To find a Santa Cruz off-leash dog park, visit the city’s website.

If you have been injured by a dog bite attack, the experienced and knowledgeable Santa Cruz dog bite attorneys at Van Der Walde & Associates can discuss your legal options with you in a free consultation of your Santa Cruz dog bite case. Call 877-862-6288 today.

USA Today recently published an article detailing the findings of a study by the University of Colorado, Denver, where data of children bitten by dogs was analyzed. Researchers discovered the attacks were most often by a breed of the animal that is considered to be “good with children,” such as a Labrador retriever, and generally a child’s face and eyes are the main targets for injuries.

The study looked at data regarding 537 children who were treated at the Children’s Hospital in Denver for facial injuries resulting from a dog bite between 2003 and 2008. Researchers found that 68 percent of dog bites occurred in children aged five or younger, with the highest incidence occurring in three-year-olds.

The dog breeds involved in these specific attacks were not breeds generally associated with dog bites. Accounting for 23 percent of bites were mixed breeds; followed by Labrador retrievers at about 13 percent, then Rottweilers at about 5 percent, German shepherds at 4 percent, and Golden retrievers at 3 percent. The study did not include Pit bull attacks because the animal is banned in Denver.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year. About 885,000 require medical attention. The total cost associated with dog bite injuries is estimated to be around $250 million annually.

If you or your child has been injured as a result of a dog bite, it may be a good decision to consult with a personal injury attorney to find out your legal rights and options. The experienced, skilled, and knowledgeable Santa Cruz dog bite attorneys at Van Der Walde & Associates will seek to hold negligent dog owners liable while you recover from your injuries. Please call us today at 877-862-6288 for a free consultation on your Santa Cruz dog bite case.

Be sure to read the next blog post to learn useful tips in how to help prevent dog bites.