Dog Bite Lawyer in Los Angeles County, CA

Los Angeles County is consistently one of the most common places for dog bites in the U.S. The Postal Service tracks incidents involving dog bites annually. USPS reports that Los Angeles has been the nation’s #1 location for incidents involving letter carriers for the last two years. More than 20,000 people a year report dog bites in Los Angeles County. Most estimates say that it is probably just 5% of the actual total. The most common dog bite victims are children. They account for 64% of such incidents nationally. Whether you’re a dog owner or someone who suffered an attack, it is important to know how to spot canine aggression. You also need to know what to do about a bite. Likewise, you should understand the legal implications and when to contact a dog bite lawyer.

Most dogs display some kind of aggressive or defensive posture before they bite. A classic display is a dog laying its ears back. Like many animals, dogs also stand their hair on end to look bigger. If a dog is likely to attack, it will often show its teeth and snarl. Barking and growling are often common early indicators. Dogs like to make a lot of noise to scare off threats. A dog will typically stiffen its legs to prepare to fight, too. Also, a dog will put its tail up when it is ready to bite.

The good news is that dog owners can do a lot to reduce the risk of an unprovoked incident. Dogs need early socialization. This means they should be exposed to people, animals, and other dogs. This helps dogs learn that they are in a safe place. Dog owners also need to pay attention to the previously mentioned warning signs. If your dog is prepared to fight, remove it from the situation as early as possible. Training is important, too. Your dog should know basic commands and respond to them. You want to be able to call off your dog if it ends up in a bad situation.

Manage your dog’s environment, too. A dog with a place to retreat is much less likely to injure someone. An outside dog should have a dog house nearby to retreat to. You also should keep the dog in a location where it isn’t exposed to threats. This means keeping the dog away from active sidewalks. The dog shouldn’t be near your home’s porch, either. People like postal workers and delivery drivers should have an easy path to get to your house safely and lawfully without encountering the dog. Fences and leashes also limit the dog’s range. This reduces the risk that the dog can go a long distance and hurt someone.

Everyone should know how to respond after an attack. Foremost, wash any wounds with water and soap. A dog bite can easily get infected. Identify any bleeding. Take steps to stop bleeding, too. Even if the bite seems minor, get medical attention. A doctor will tell you if you need a tetanus or rabies shot. You should also document the incident. Even if you don’t plan to hire a dog bite attorney, take photos of the bites. Also, take photos of the area where the attack occurred. A dog attack attorney wants to see evidence about how the owner did or didn’t control the dog. If you can show there wasn’t a fence, for example, that helps an eventual dog bite lawsuit. California is a mandatory reporting state. This means you must report every dog attack. Contact your local police or animal control if you don’t know what to do.

Dog bite cases are easier to prove in California than in most states. California has a strict liability law. This means the owner is liable in most cases. Even if the dog never bitten anyone before, the owner may be liable. California’s defense exceptions are fairly predictable. The attack must be unprovoked. This means the victim should not have teased, poked, or otherwise threatened the dog. The victim also had to be on the property lawfully. This means a dog shouldn’t bite a guest, a delivery person, or just someone walking by. California also has rules about damages when a dog attacks another dog. California also empowers city or county attorneys to remove or destroy a dog that has bitten two or more people in separate attacks. Be aware that the state has exceptions for military and police dogs. Veterinarians, groomers, and kennel workers usually can’t file a dog bite lawsuit. The state’s professional risk standard presumes these people know the risk of working with dogs.

If you’re worried that you need a dog bite attorney, Silverthorne Attorneys is here for you. We can look at your case and tell you what we think. If you’re ready to protect your rights following a dog bite injury, contact Silverthorne Attorneys right away.