An increasing number of East Los Angeles residents are bitten by dogs, and then sent to hospital emergency rooms. California’s Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) revealed in 2017 that the hospital room visits for these accidents increased by 44% during the last ten years. The state recorded the most number of dog bite claims with over 1,934 reports of these accidents, exceeding any other American state.
Do More Dogs Mean More Dog Bites?
Specialists hypothesize that this increase in dog bites is related to the uptake in dog ownership in all parts of America. More US citizens are adopting pets and keeping dogs in their apartments and homes. This rise in dog ownership has caused more contact between people and dogs, leading to more bite incidents. Many high profile cases involving some unleashed dogs attacking kids, adults, and other dogs were caught on camera in the cities of San Francisco and LA, where police stepped in and shot the animals to prevent more harm.
Dog Ownership and California’s Strict Liability
In the US state, you should know that all dog owners are strictly responsible for the harms, which their dog causes to others. This means a dog owner cannot escape legal responsibility for the bite’s harm to someone else by claiming that they had no idea that their dog would behave aggressively. In other words, they are liable for all damages arising from the bite, even when their dog has not bitten any person before.
Steps to Take Following a Dog Bite
In the event you or your loved one has been bitten by this animal, then you should take these steps straight away.
First, seek immediate medical care. Depending on that dog’s owner’s care, it may have or not have had its essential veterinary shots. Take photographs of the dog and bite.
Then, contact police to report this incident and get details regarding who owns the animal. Several counties in California require dogs to be having a collar, which details their owner information or an implanted microchip where this info can be stored.
Financial Compensation for a Dog Bite Injury
In the case you have suffered emotional, financial, and physical harm because of this incident, and you want to look into legal remedies against its owner for medical costs and damages, then you should also get in touch with a dog attack lawyer. Know your rights as the dog bite victim.
