Dogs can be our best companion, but canines that are not trained, restrained, or fit for domestic ownership can become a man’s worst nightmare when they attack. Dangerous dogs can cause significant injuries to anyone who encounters them.
If you or a loved one have been through a similar experience or any encounter with a dog that led to injury or death, consider working with an Anaheim dog bite lawyer to pursue justice and financial awards to recover your losses. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 816-0755 for a free consultation.
Dog Owners Accept Responsibility for Their Animal
Choosing to become the owner of any animal, including a dog, means that owners take responsibility for that animal. Whether the dog is as small as a Shih-Tzu or as large as a German Shepherd, any attack or single bite that the dog is responsible for generally becomes the dog’s owner’s responsibility.
While a dog owner may not necessarily understand the temperament and tendencies of a dog when they are in the early days of ownership, it is their responsibility to become familiar with their dog as quickly as possible. Some of the warning signs in a dog that an owner must look out for include:
- The dog’s pulling on a leash, either toward humans or other dogs, in a way that indicates potential aggressiveness
- Lunging at humans or animals
- Snapping jaws at other animals or humans
- Growling and barking at other animals or humans
- Attacking other humans or animals
Even dogs that do not show any apparent signs of aggressiveness may have the potential to snap and attack without warning. Some specific breeds are statistically more likely to engage in an unprovoked attack. According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), these breeds include:
- Pitbull
- German shepherd
- Certain mixed breeds
These are not the only breeds that can attack. All dog owners must take reasonable precautions to prevent their animal from harming others or interacting with those who do not desire contact with an animal. If an owner does not take steps to protect others from their dog, they could be held legally responsible.
Reasonable Safety Precautions for Dog Owners
Certain scenarios involving a dog may pose a heightened risk of attack. If a dog is confined securely in their yard or inside their home, there may be no apparent way for an attack to occur. However, several circumstances may be common among dog owners that could result in dangerous interactions and attacks.
A dog owner could prevent any circumstance from leading to an attack by:
- Ensuring that any space where a dog is contained, including in a home or yard, is tightly secured, with no security flaws that could lead to a dog’s escape
- Ensuring that a dog does not escape from the home through a cracked door
- Ensuring that a dog always has a size-appropriate leash on when out in public
- Fitting a dog with a muzzle if the dog has shown prior signs of aggression
- Walking a dog only in sparsely populated areas
- Warning any approaching humans that the dog is not friendly or requesting that the person not interact with the dog if there is any doubt that the person will be safe
Generally, it is not the public’s responsibility to protect themselves from a dog attack. Rather, it is the owner’s responsibility to protect the public from a potentially dangerous dog. If you or a loved one is the victim of a negligent dog owner, call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today about retaining the services of an Anaheim dog bite lawyer. Call us today for a free consultation.
For a free legal consultation with a Dog Bites Lawyer serving Anaheim, call (800) 794-0444
A Lawyer Can Seek Financial Awards After for a Dog Bite
No two dog attacks are identical, so it may be important that you speak with a lawyer or their team so that they can assess how you or a loved one were harmed from a dog bite. Your losses may be extensive, and you could be entitled to financial compensation that reflects the seriousness of your losses.
As a lawyer prepares and carries out your case, they will assess whether you have suffered the following types of losses.
Medical Costs and Hardship
The medical consequences of a dog bite can be multifaceted, as you may be harmed financially, physically, emotionally, and in other ways that fall under the “medical” designation.
Medical care treatment costs of a dog bite can be high. You or your loved one may have required emergency care, surgery, a host of shots, and other procedures that you may have paid for out of your pocket. If a dog bite results in infection, then your health care costs could become even more burdensome.
Additionally, you may face lasting consequences of the dog bite, including but not limited to physical scars and mental trauma. You may be owed compensation for these sorts of losses.
Lost Income
A dog bite can cause injuries so serious that you may not have been able to work for some time after the dog attack. You may be able to recover lost wages from the owner of the dog or any other parties determined to be responsible for your injuries and lost productivity.
If you have suffered any other losses because of the dog attack, including losing a loved one, then a lawyer will initiate and complete the legal process for seeking awards.
Anaheim Dog Bites Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Today for Advice
There is no cost in calling a lawyer. Should you choose to hire an Anaheim dog bite lawyer, they and their team will aim to ensure that you are not exposed to any further harm, financial or otherwise, stemming from your dog bite incident.
If you wish to seek legal action in your situation, you have two years from the incident date to file a lawsuit in civil court, as California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) §335.1 explains.
Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 816-0755 for a free consultation.
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