Dog Bite Cases - When Good Dogs Go Bad

This is written from a dog lover's perspective. They are my favorite animals. I have been a dog owner for all of my life and now happily own 2 gorgeous Golden Retrievers. However, you should always remember that although dogs are considered domesticated, they are still animals. Even the most well trained dog can inflict horrific injuries on children and adults. Friendly dogs can cause terrible injuries to children- biting off ears, ripping big holes in faces, and leaving gashes all over their bodies.

Dog owners are strictly liable for any injuries or death their pets cause in California. The fact that the dog has no history of aggression or has never bitten anyone before, does not matter. The dog is not allowed the first bite! If a dog you own bites someone, you might find yourself liable for all the financial costs incurred, including medical bills, loss of earnings and also for pain, suffering, and emotional distress. These damages can be overwhelming financially to both the victim and the owner of the dog.

If the owner knows of the dog's propensity for viciousness but does not take proper precautions to ensure the protection of those who come in contact with it, then they can be deemed to be grossly negligent, and as such, responsible for punitive damages, which can be massive.

Over the years, I have recognized certain breeds as being more prone to injure people. Also, children appear more prone to be bitten than adults. The classes of dogs are comprised of German Sheperds, German Sheperd mixes, Chow Chows, Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, Akitas, and Dalmatians.

Injuries that are caused by dogs are usually covered under homeowner's insurance policies. However, some companies are excluding the above-mentioned breeds on the grounds that they are inherently vicious. Check with your insurance carrier whether or not your specific dog breed is covered under your policy. In case your dog variety is not included, you would have to shoulder all the liability to the affected person if your dog causes any harm.

If you happen to own a dog (particularly a larger breed), then as a homeowner you should be careful and use common sense to avoid having your pet attack another person. The subsequent guidelines will help you out:
1. Don't ever let children walk dogs that are too big and not easy for them to handle, and always keep your dog on a leash.
2. Train your dog with a professional trainer.
3. Keep your dog contained within a fence at all times. The fencing should be adequate to prevent the canine from escaping above or below, and the gate should be locked when unsupervised.
4.When visitors come over, especially kids, keep the dog away.
5. Be sure to check that all of your windows and screen doors are secure. (I had a assignment once where a dog made a dash through a ragged screen door to assault a kid.) 6. Keep your dog's vaccinations up to date.
7. Purchase a dog from a breeder you know. It's a good idea to get references from your breeder. You might find out that your trusted breeder has previously trained dogs for fighting
8. You should make sure that nobody puts their face close to your dog's face.

Being the victim of a dog bite can be costly, as well as tragic for all parties involved. Use common sense and be careful around any dog, whether it's friendly or not; remember that any dog can be your worst enemy as well as your best friend.

As an exceptional personal injury and California lemon law attorneys Barry Edzant knows just what to do following a bog bite incident. Over the years Barry has developed a specialty as a Los Angeles lemon law attorney and as a result truly understands a client's needs when dealing with a personal injury claim.