California Dog Bite Lawyers and Attorneys

California Dog Bite Information

Every year over 4.7 million Americans suffer from painful and often serious dog bite injuries.  A great many of these are simple accidents which do not result in serious injury, but a growing number of cases result in long-term disability, and in some cases death.  Further complicating the tragedy of dog bites is the overwhelming majority of these bites occur in children, often when they are doing nothing more than playing with the dog.

There are several reasons why dogs bite people.  The most common of these include:

• Dominance aggression: usually occurs when family members take something from the dog or disturb it while it rests, sleeps, or eats.
• Defensive or fear aggression: generally occurs with people who move quickly or closely when a dog is frightened.
• Protective/territorial aggression: can occur when unknown or unfamiliar people get too close to the owner or their property.
• Predatory aggression: an instinct that causes dogs to react to small, quick moving animals and sometimes children.
• Pain-elicited aggression: if a dog is injured, it can react violently to those who get near them, even if they mean to help.
• Punishment-elicited aggression: dogs remember those who cause them pain, and can react negatively to people who may cause them more pain.
• Redirected aggression: dogs cannot always control their instincts if they are disturbed while aggressive in another context.

These reasons are not an excuse when dogs attack people; they are merely natural reasons why dogs can become aggressive.  Training, discipline, socialization, gender, and breed can greatly influence whether a dog will attack someone in a given situation.

The owners of dogs causing harm to others can be held legally responsible in California.  Furthermore, victims of dog bites can sometimes collect financial restitution from the owner of the offending animal for their injuries, pain, and suffering.  Attacks on people are not the only kinds of situations that merit action, as damage to livestock and other property can sometimes be recovered through the legal process.

If you or someone you love was attacked by a dog, you have rights.  Although the bite itself may be simple, dealing with the medical consequences and legal complications are often extremely complicated.  You need to consult an experienced and dedicated dog bite attorney today in order to get the justice you deserve. Contact one today.