Dogs are often considered one of our most loyal companions, and have been proven to reduce stress, and increase levels of exercise. However, like all animals, dogs will still attack when they feel provoked to do so. Dog bites are one of the most common wounds that are inflicted when these animals attack. These injuries can be both physically damaging and emotionally traumatizing, and when left untreated can result in some life-threatening infections. According to a study, out of the 4.5 million dog bites that occur every year 1 out of 5 become infected. These infections can range from easily treatable bacterial viruses to the truly fatal bacterial infection, rabies. Fortunately, in Placer County, and the greater state of California, various laws protect residents and visitors from being injured by one of these dangerous attacks. For more information, consult with an accomplished lawyer with experience handling dog bite claims. One of our experienced lawyers at the top-rated Normandie Law Firm can assist you.
Placer County
Placer County, located east of Sacramento, and known for the spectacular Lake Tahoe, is home to roughly 348,000 people. Placer County incorporates the Sacramento-Roseville-Arden-Arcade Metropolitan Area. The county takes up portions of the Sacramento Valley, and the stunning Sierra Nevada. Once known as Gold Country for the gold veins found there, Placer County was founded in 1851 and calls Auburn it’s county seat. As well as the sights to be found in and around Lake Tahoe, there are many sights, such as Old Town Auburn, Lake Clementine, and the Auburn State Recreation Area, that attract tourists from around the country on a regular basis. Very few of these residents and visitors expect to be bitten by a dog, however. This is partly because of the city and county ordinances put in place that protect the people of Placer County. An expert lawyer experienced in dog bite cases can give you more details.
Placer County Dog Bite Ordinances
There are some dog bite laws in Placer County that protect people from being bitten but also help mitigate the damages that a dog bite could cause. One of the main precautionary laws put in place in Placer County is the license law. In Placer County all dogs over four months old are expected to be licensed. This licensing is established to ensure that all dogs in the area are properly vaccinated, as the license requires that the dog is given all of the necessary vaccinations to prevent bacterial infections like rabies. Another preventative law is the leash laws in Placer County. These leash laws dictate that all dogs in public and private spaces (other than the owner’s home) are appropriately restrained. This means that the dog is handled by an individual that is fully capable of doing so without being overpowered by the dog.
Beyond some of the preventative measures put in place, there are also some laws that ensure the protection of dog bite victims from experiencing further trauma. One of these laws, is the requirement for dog bite victims, eyewitnesses to the dog bite, or the owner of the dog that bit someone to report the bite to proper officials. This could mean reporting the event to local animal control officers or a medical professional when seeking treatment for the wound. When a bite occurs, the dog is typically put on a quarantine that lasts at least ten days. Over the course of this quarantine, the dog’s health is monitored for signs of rabies or other dangerous bacterial infections. This quarantine can take place at either the dog owner’s home (if found capable of doing so) or at a local animal control center. If a dog has reoccurring nature of biting others, the dog may be labeled a ‘vicious and dangerous’ animal. If this is the case, the dog owner is expected to comply with rules and regulations established by the court. Some of these possible regulations include the following:
- Having the dog on a leash at all times when outside the home
- Ensuring that there are adequate restraints like fencing or walls at the home
- Require the dog, and dog owner works with a trainer to ensure the safety of the dog to the public.
These laws are established to protect the people of Placer County from the dangers of a dog bite. Unfortunately, these laws don’t prevent dog bites all together, they still occur, and they do so quite frequently. For this reason, it is important to understand the infections that could arise after a dog bite, the best way to treat a dog bite, and some of the steps you can take to prevent a dog bite from occurring. An experienced attorney can be of great assistance.
The Damages & What You Can Do To Stop Them
Dog bite laws are put in place to prevent some dangerous and even life-threatening infections. A dog bite infection can arise if a dog isn’t properly vaccinated, or if the wound isn’t treated correctly. These infections are usually contracted by a person when a dog’s saliva comes into contact with a person’s bloodstream. Some of the common bacterial infections contracted by dog bites are bulleted below:
- Rabies: Rabies is the most dangerous diseases that people can contract through dog bites. While cases of rabies are rare, the rabies disease is incredibly lethal. Rabies is a virus that affects the brain and once symptoms show is almost always fatal. One of the most common ways to contract rabies is through the bite and saliva of an infected animal. Victims who have been exposed to an animal that could have rabies should immediately seek out medical treatment.
- Capnocytophaga: This is a bacteria that lives in the mouths of humans, dogs, and cats. These bacteria don’t make dogs or cats sick, so it is not always easy to identify if your pet has it. The spread of Capnocytophaga to humans is rare, but they are typically spread through bites, scratches or close contact with a dog or cat. Most people who come into contact with dogs or cats do not become sick. However, people with a weakened immune system are at a higher risk of becoming sick.
- Pasteurella: this is a type of bacteria seen in over 50% of infected dog bite wounds. The bacteria commonly cause a painful, red infection around the bite area, but it can create more severe conditions in those with a weakened immune system.
- MRSA: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA is a type of staph infection that is resistant to some antibiotics. Dogs and other animals can carry MRSA without showing symptoms. However, the bacteria can cause skin, lung, and urinary tract infections in people. In some, MRSA can spread to the bloodstream or lungs and cause life-threatening infections.
- Tetanus: Tetanus is a toxin produced by a bacterium called Clostridium tetani, and can cause rigid paralysis in people exposed to it through deep bite wounds.
Treating a dog bite properly can mean the difference between reaching a full recovery and being diagnosed with the fatal bacterial disease rabies. For this reason, it is incredibly important that you know the best ways to treat a dog bite wound. Although, keep in mind that in most cases it is in your best interest to seek assistance from a medical professional if possible. Treatment of a dog bite wound can change based on the severity of the bite, and are listed as follows:
- Minor Wounds: With minor dog bite wounds it is recommended that you wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water, apply an antibiotic cream, then cover the wound with a clean bandage. You should see a healthcare provider if the wound becomes: red, painful, warm, or swollen; if you develop a fever; or if the dog that bit you was acting strangely.
- Deep Wounds: If you have suffered a deep wound it is recommended that you apply pressure with a clean, dry cloth to stop the bleeding. If the bleeding does not stop or slow, or you feel faint or weak, call 911 or any other local emergency medical service immediately. With deep wounds, it is highly recommended that you seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, those at the highest risk of dog bites are young children and men. However, a dog bite can occur to anyone at anytime. This is why it is highly recommended that you know the best way to prevent a dog bite from occurring. Some preventative measures you can follow are listed below:
- Don’t encourage your dog to play aggressively
- Don’t disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, or caring for its young
- Don’t pet a dog without allowing it to smell you first
- If a dog looks as though they may attack, don’t run from the dog
- Don’t panic or make loud noises when approached by an unfamiliar dog.
- Don’t approach strange dogs
- When small children play with dogs, make sure that they are under supervision.
Even after following these steps, some dogs will still bite you. Unfortunately, there are dogs out there that are trained to bite even when unprovoked. This is precisely why there are various laws in Placer County to mitigate some of the damages that a dog bite can cause. If you do ever suffer a dog bite, California dog bite law permit dog bite victims to file a lawsuit against the owner of the dog responsible. In California, dog owners are to be held liable for the damages of a dog bite in almost all cases. However, when pursuing legal action, it is highly recommended that you seek assistance from a skilled California attorney who has experience in dog bite cases to guide you through the process of claiming compensation for your damages.
How Normandie Law Firm Can Help
If you or a loved one have been injured as a result of a dog bite, you have every right to file a claim for compensation against the dog’s owner. Clients who file a claim with Normandie Law Firm may find some if not all of the following damages compensable to them:
- Past and Future Medical Expenses
- Loss of Income
- Loss of potential future income
- Emotional Damages (anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc…)
- Punitive Damages (which are difficult to win, as many juries view them as unnecessary; only a qualified attorney with expertise in dog bite injury lawsuits will be able to win them)
Victims of a dog bites contact our Los Angeles law offices to learn more about how to receive compensation for their injuries. At Normandie Law Firm, our top lawyers can assist you in understanding the Placer County dog bite laws that influence your case. Our attorneys are also well-versed in the process of suing a dog owner for the damages of a dog bite. While we are based in Los Angeles, we also practice in San Diego, Orange County, Riverside, Bakersfield, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento and throughout the state of California.
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If you contact our law offices today, we can walk you through the complicated process of filing your claim completely free of charge. As a show this commitment to you and your case we offer our clients the benefits of a zero fee guarantee policy. Under our zero fee policy, all clients don’t pay for our services until their case is won. If you feel in need of a second opinion, second opinion case reviews are also free under this policy. Please, feel free to give us a call, and one of our attorneys with experience in dog bite cases can guide you down the path of receiving proper compensation for your damages.
