California Injury Blog
Four people, including an 11-year-old identified as Anthony Gonzalez, were injured during a dog attack involving two animals. According to a report in The Whittier Daily News, the dog bite incident occurred in the 7000 block of Greenleaf Avenue on July 16, 2012. Officials say the two dogs, which were a Siberian Husky and pit bull, live at a residence on Greenleaf Avenue. The dogs escaped from their home and bit Anthony who was walking home with his sister. Brian Urbina, 22, a jogger was bitten by the pit bull on his right hand. Hermina Hernandez, 62, who was walking to the store was bitten by the Siberian Husky and the pit bull. A transient was also attacked and bitten. The injuries were not life threatening.
My heart goes out to the injured victims of this dog bite incident. I wish them all the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Dog Attack Statistics
Dogsbite.org reports that between the years 2005 and 2011, pit bulls killed 128 people in the United States. This comes out to approximately one fatally injured victim in every 20 days. According to statistics gathered by the dog bite victims advocacy group, between the years 2006 and 2008, pit bulls accounted for 52 fatalities or 59 percent of all fatal dog attacks.
Dog Bite Law
Based on this news report, it appears that the dogs escaped from the yard and attacked the passers by. Under California’s strict liability statute, dog owners can be held liable for injuries their pets cause. California’s Civil Code Section 3342 states: “The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.”
Compensation for Dog Bite Victim
Injured dog bite victims can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, cost of cosmetic surgery, and other related damages. Dog attack victims would be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles dog bite injury lawyer, who will ensure that the negligent dog owners are held liable. Compensation for dog bite victims is also usually available through the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance policy.