Dog Bite Law Firm Sacramento

Dog bite injuries are nothing to take lightly. A bad bite from a dog can result in infection, nerve damage and disfigurement, and the event itself can be psychologically traumatizing. There is also an unfortunate stigma that sometimes accompanies these attacks. Dogs are widely seen as pets rather than animals, and when people hear “dog bite” they don’t always take the dog bite injury as seriously as they should.

At The Weinberger Law Firm, however, our Sacramento dog bite injuries understand just how devastating these injuries can be. We can help you file an injury claim to hold the dog owner responsible and obtain the compensation you need for your medical expenses, pain, and suffering.

California Dog Bite Laws

California has what’s called a strict liability dog bite law, meaning dog owners are generally liable for any injuries caused by their dog’s bite, regardless of certain factors. Here’s a breakdown of key points:

Applicable Location: The bite must have occurred in a public place or on private property where the victim was lawfully present. This includes invited guests, mail carriers, or people performing legal duties on the property.
Prior Viciousness: The dog’s history of aggression is not a factor in determining liability. Even if the dog never bit anyone before, the pet owner is still liable.
Owner’s Knowledge: The owner’s knowledge of the dog’s aggressive tendencies is also irrelevant under strict liability.

Here are some additional points to consider:

Trespassers: Dog bite laws typically don’t protect trespassers unless they can prove the pet owner acted with negligence, which can be difficult.
Bite Victim Responsibilities: While California has strict liability laws, the victim may have some responsibility if they provoked the dog.
Leash Laws: Separate leash laws may apply depending on the city or county. Violating leash laws could strengthen your case.

Dog and Animal Bites Statistics

Dog bites are a surprisingly common occurrence in the United States, with California having its own share of incidents. Here’s a breakdown of some statistics:

United States

Overall Bites: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs annually.
Medical Attention: Out of those bitten, around 1 in 5 people require medical attention for their injuries.
Hospitalization: An estimated 1.8% of dog bites require hospitalization due to the severity of the dog bite wound.
Financial Burden: Dog bite claims filed in the U.S. cost insurance companies millions each year. In 2019, State Farm® reported 17,866 dog bite claims totaling over $802 million.

California

Bite Rates: California has a high rate of dog bites. A 2014 report by the California Department of Public Health indicated over 50,000 dogs were reported to animal control for biting incidents in a single year.
Emergency Room Visits: A 2024 Los Angeles Times article highlights a concerning trend. Emergency room visits for dog bites in California have seen a 70% increase since 2005, reaching a record 48,596 visits in 2022.

Additional Points

Breeds: While any dog can bite, certain breeds are involved in a higher percentage of incidents. Pit bulls, German Shepherds, and Chihuahuas are frequently cited in California statistics.
Victims: Children are unfortunately the most common victims of dog bites. The National Library of Medicine reports that over 800,000 people seek medical care for dog attacks annually, with a significant number being children.

It’s important to remember that these are just statistics. If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, especially in California, consider consulting Sacramento dog bite lawyers specializing in dog bite cases. They can provide specific guidance based on your situation.

Why Should You Hire A Dog Bite Attorney?

If you or a loved one have been the victim of a dog attack, you may want to enlist the services of a skilled dog bite attorney. Sacramento dog bite attorneyscan help you understand your opportunities for recovery and can help hold the negligent party responsible.

Here’s why you should consider hiring a Sacramento dog bite attorney after a dog attack:

Understanding California’s Dog Bite Laws: California has strict liability laws for dog bites, meaning the dog’s owner is liable for damages regardless of prior knowledge of aggression. An attorney can ensure you understand these laws and how they apply to your dog bite case.
Maximizing Compensation: Dog bite injuries can result in significant medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma. A Sacramento dog bite lawyer can fight for compensation that covers all these damages.
Complexities of Dog Bite Cases: Proving negligence or fault can be tricky, especially if the attack happened on private property. A Sacramento dog bite lawyer can navigate these complexities and build a strong dog bite injury case.
Focus on Recovery: Dog bite injuries can be physically and emotionally demanding. An attorney can handle the legal legwork, allowing you to focus on healing.
Experience with Insurance Companies: Serious dog bite claims often involve insurance companies. A Sacramento dog bite lawyer can negotiate with them on your behalf to secure a fair settlement.

Don’t underestimate the importance of legal representation. A Sacramento dog bite attorney can be your advocate throughout the process, maximizing your chances of a successful outcome.

In California, dog bite victims or the family of the victim have up to two years from the date of the accident to file a dog bite claim. With dog bites, however, it’s important to contact local authorities and to begin the legal process to keep the dog from attacking anyone else. Working with an attorney can give you time to focus on recovery while your attorney investigates the accident and works on identifying the dog owner.

Finding The Dog Owner

Many dog bites are perpetrated by dogs the victims are unfamiliar with. As such, tracking down the owner is not always an easy task. Thankfully, this is not a task you have to handle on your own. Our team has experience finding dog owners and informing them of the Sacramento dog attack. With the owner identified, your dog bite injury claim can then proceed.

There are some things you can make note of that will help us find the owner of the dog:

Where did the attack occur?
What time did the attack occur?
What kind of dog was it?
Was the dog wearing a collar?
Were there any houses near where you were attacked?
Did anyone witness the attack?

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bites & Attacks

A dog is Man’s best friend, right? Well… not always! Just like a person’s, a dog’s personality is heavily affected by the way its raised. Some dogs are brought up with the intent of creating a mean and vicious animal for the purpose of protection, while others develop aggression issues as a result of repeated abuse or neglect.

Unfortunately, the end result is often the same.

Who Is Likely To Be The Victim?

Statistics show that children have an overwhelmingly higher chance of being attacked by a dog when compared to adults. Here are some startling statistics regarding dog attack frequency by age group:

The CDC estimates 50% of children under 12 have been bitten/attacked by a dog
79% of fatal dog attacks involve children
50% of fatalities caused by dog bites involve children under 2
82% of dog bites treated involve children under 15
Half of all dog bites happen to children under 8
65% of dog bites in children occur to the head and neck
Newborns are 370 times more likely to be killed by a dog than an adult
Over 87% of children who die from being bitten occur when the child was left unsupervised with a dog or wandered off unsupervised to the dog’s location

If you or a loved one has experienced the trauma of a dog bite or dog attack, contact a Sacramento injury attorney to discuss your options and appropriate action.

Why The Children?

Children have not yet learned the physical signs of danger that adults have, and as a result, do not understand the dangers a dog can pose. As an adult, we understand that if a dog is growling, or showing their teeth, we should probably stay away. A small child has absolutely no idea, and may inadvertently provoke an animal that otherwise wouldn’t have attacked. Adults also understand that sneaking up on any animal, even a person, can be met with dire consequences. Children are more likely to startle a sleeping dog or approach a dog while they are eating, increasing the frequency at which they are attacked.

Not only is the frequency of animal attack higher with children, but the severity of the injuries incurred is also often far more serious. Children are not strong or coordinated enough to fend off a small dog during an attack, let alone a large dog that would give adult issues. You can understand how severe the injuries could be to a small child who is unable to protect themselves.

Who Is Responsible?

A dog’s owner is responsible for their actions at all times – whether or not a case for injury liability can be made is a different story entirely.

In order for the dog’s owner to be liable for injury compensation, the following must be established:

The person’s injury was incurred by the dog whose owner is the defendant
The injury victim was on public property, or on private property with the permission of the property owner, at the time of the incident

In the most heinous of cases, criminal charges can be brought against the dog’s owner in addition to any civil cases filed. In order for criminal charges to be brought, the dog must be classified as “vicious”, or “dangerous”:

A Dog Is Considered “Vicious” When:

A history of aggressive behavior resulting in defensive action by an attacked person on two or more separate occasions in the 36 months prior to the incident
Has bitten another person, unprovoked, even if the injury was not severe
Has bitten, injured, or killed a domestic animal at least twice within the past 36 months

A Dog Is Considered “Dangerous” When:

Is owned by a person who has been convicted of an offense related to illegal dog-fighting
Has aggressively injured or killed a human being
Has been listed as a “dangerous” dog, but whose owner(s) did not adhere to the Food and Agriculture Code’s precautions on keeping dangerous dogs

Here’s A List Of Dogs Classified As “Dangerous Dogs”

Pit Bull
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Rottweiler
Doberman
German Shepherd

Are You The Victim Of A Dog Attack? Speak With A Sacramento Injury Attorney About Your Injury Case!

A dog attack can be a devastating experience that leaves the victim with long-term physical and psychological trauma. If the victim is a child, the consequences can be even more severe. Don’t go through this difficult process on your own. Call the dog bite experts at The Weinberger Law Firm and speak with our Sacramento injury attorney for a free consultation today!

Preventing Dog Bites & Attacks

California law states that the owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten or attacked by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place. California is a “strict liability” state for dog bites. This means that an owner cannot escape liability for a dog bite by claiming that he or she had no idea the dog would act aggressively. If you are a dog owner, you must take certain precautions to prevent any attacks and avoid a lawsuit.

If you or someone you know has been attacked by a dog, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at our Sacramento office for a free consultation. The dog owner could be held liable.

We consider dogs as friendly, fun and loyal pets. However, there are many situations that might lead to a dog attacking another person such as:

The animal might have been abused
The animal might be scared or confused by surroundings
The animal might be trying to protect the owner or property
The dog might have some type of illness like rabies

As a dog owner, you must take care of your dog both physically and mentally to ensure he is safe around other people. Dog bites can cause a lifetime of injury or even wrongful death. Some types of injuries that can be sustained after a dog attack include:

A catastrophic injury like muscle or nerve damage
Loss of extremities such as bone damage or loss of limbs
Permanent scarring or facial disfigurement

Things You Can Do To Prevent A Dog Attack

Remember, the law requires dog owners to take care of their dog. Here are some things you can do to keep your dog physically and mentally healthy:

Walk your dog regularly to get his or her energy out
Never leave your dog tied up for a long period of time as this can result in unwanted aggression
Have your pet evaluated by a veterinarian
Don’t keep dogs in packs as this can result in attack behavior

What To Do If You Think A Dog May Attack

If you are approached by a dog who you feel might attack you, follow this advice:

Resist the impulse to scream and run away
Remain motionless, hands at your sides, and avoid eye contact with the dog
Once the dog loses interest in you, slowly back away until he is out of sight
If the dog does attack, “feed” him your jacket, purse, bicycle, or anything that you can put between yourself and the dog
If you fall or are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your ears and remain motionless

Statistics Of Dog Attacks

As a dog owner, it is your responsibility. Here are some statistics to remind you how important it is to take care of your dog to make sure he or she will never hurt anyone:

3.7 million people in this country are bitten by dogs every year
Children are by far the most common victims
800,000 Americans receive medical attention for dog bites each year
Children are far more likely to be severely injured, approximately 400,000 receive medical attention each year
Most dog bites affecting young children occur during everyday activities
Senior citizens are the second most dog bite victims
Almost one-half of all dog bites involve an animal owned by the victim’s family or neighbors

Remember that dog owners have a responsibility to make sure their dogs are safe enough to be around other people. If you or someone you know has been attacked by a dog, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at our Sacramento office for a free consultation. The dog owner could be held liable.

Aggressive Dogs

For the millions of dog owners in America, a dog serves not only as a companion but could also provide security and emotional support. Unfortunately, however, dog aggression could lead to serious injuries if a victim is bitten. Understanding dog aggression is important for both dog owners and non-dog owners. If you’ve been attacked by a dog, contact a personal injury attorney who can evaluate your case with you and determine your best course of action.

What Is Aggression?

There are several types of aggression such as:

Play-escalation
Frustrated
Resource guarding
Territorial
Pain-induced
Fear-related
Social status
Intra-sex
Hormonally driven
Medication-induced
Health-related
Learned behavior

Aggression is defined as the threat of harm to another individual involving snarling, growling, snapping, biting, barking, or lunging. The most common reason for the aggression is fear but other factors can contribute to it. Understanding what aggression is and what causes it can help treat it and make society safer for everyone.

It is important to understand how a combination of the environment and hormones can affect the behavior of a dog. Hormonally driven aggression is usually caused by a female dog being in season. It can involve males fighting due to the presence of a female in heat or the female herself fighting with other dogs of either sex. Aggression in female dogs during their heat is a common complaint and it’s important dog owners take every precaution possible to avoid aggression.

Keep in mind that female dogs go into heat for a few weeks twice a year which is a considerable length of time. Identify the triggers that induce aggression and isolate her from those triggers, especially if children are involved. If you don’t plan on breeding her, having her spayed will be helpful in eliminating the aggression.

Symptoms Of Aggressive Dogs

Dog aggression should never be taken lightly. If you suspect your dog to be aggressive, keep an eye out for some of these symptoms:

Excessive barking
Growling
Overprotectiveness of possessions
Fearfulness in new situations or around strangers
Severe attacks on other animals such as cats
Attempts to mount people’s legs
Frequent attempts to chase moving objects such as bikes
Repeated escapes from home

Contact Us To Learn More About Your Legal Options

The Sacramento dog bite attorneys at The Weinberger Law Firm have been representing dog bite victims for decades. We have extensive experience building an injury case, and we are prepared to take every case to trial if it cannot be resolved with a settlement. Contact us online today to schedule a free consultation, or call 916-304-0952.