In California, dog owners have a legal obligation to ensure that their dog is under their control at all times. If the dog isn’t in a fenced in yard, it must be on a leash that is no longer than six (6) feet in length. That being said, there are designated dog parks where owners may allow their dogs to play off their leash, but the dogs must still be supervised. Violating the lease law could result in a fine of at least $100 for first offenses. If a dog bites someone, the owner may be held legally liable. The victim may be entitled to receive financial compensation for the bite.
What Should the Victim Do If They’re Bitten by a Dog?
Dog bites can happen in the blink of an eye. Even dogs that appear friendly may lash out and attack someone. If you’re the victim of a dog bite in Woodland Hills, you have legal rights. First, make sure that you can identify the dog. If you can, try to take a picture of the dog. If the dog is a stray and runs away, this can be difficult. This picture is one of the best ways you can support your claim. You should also take photos of your injury.
Next, seek prompt medical attention for the dog bite. Even if the bite appears minor, it needs to be checked by a medical professional. When a dog bite breaks the skin, there’s a high chance that it could get infected. If the dog bite is severe, go to the emergency room or call 911.
Call the health department and animal control to report the dog and the dog bite. If you’re unable to identify the dog, you may have to under go pre-emptive treatment for rabies.
What Next?
After you have seen the appropriate medical professionals about your injuries, reach out to a dog bite lawyer who has experience handling dog bite cases. It’s important that you call an attorney as soon as possible after the injury because in many cases, a legal claim for a dog bite may only be filed if done so within two years after the bite.
For a free, no obligation consultation about your dog bite case, contact Woodland Hill dog bite attorney Barry P. Goldberg today.
