Dogs offer a household decreased stress levels, increased exercise, and often provide a feeling of levity and comfort to the family dynamic. However, many forget that these loyal animals are still animals and when they feel threatened or anxious tend to bite. These bites can be incredibly damaging as they can leave victims with injuries that can affect the lifelong well-being of an individual. According to several reports, roughly 4.5 million dog bites occur every year in the United States. From these incidents, approximately one out of every five dog bite wounds become infected. These infections can lead to severe damages and may require extensive hospital treatment to reach a full recovery. If you or a loved one has ever experienced a dog bite, it is important to understand what you can do after receiving the bite, and what laws protect you from further damages. This article will focus on what to do after receiving a dog bite, and the laws that protect the visitors and residents of Fresno County. For more information, contact one of our accomplished attorneys with experience in dog bite cases at the top-rated Normandie Law Firm.
Fresno County
Fresno County is known for having some of the most stunning natural wildlife parks in the United States. Containing the Sequoia National Forest, Sierra National Forest, and a large portion of the Pacific Crest Trail, people from all over the world visit Fresno County to experience the natural wonders that call the county home. The city of Fresno also receives a significant number of tourist activity as people come to visit the famous Fresno Chaffee Zoo and the Forestiere Underground Gardens. Fresno County was founded in 1856 and today has a population of 930,450 people. The county, located in Central California, incorporates the Fresno-Madera area. Many who visit Fresno County hardly expect to experience a dog bite, however, these things happen, and thankfully there are some laws that protect both visitors and residents of the county. For additional details on these laws, get in touch with a skilled attorney with expertise in dog bite injury lawsuits. You can receive more information to make sure you are not harmed by a dog.
Dog Bite Laws In Fresno County
According to dog bite law in Fresno, it is unlawful for any person to have their dog off of their property without a leash, or under the immediate control of some responsible person. A responsible person in this instance is a person of age and capability to control the dog in question. In Fresno County, it is also required that every dog over four months old have a license, a rabies shot, and all other appropriate vaccines. These shots are administered via veterinarian or any other kind of pet hospital or clinic. The county’s Environmental Health Division also offers low-cost rabies vaccines to those who are unable to afford them. Whenever a dog bites another individual, the owner of said dog is the liable for the damages suffered.
When a dog bite occurs, the Rabies and Animal Control Program of Environmental Health Division in Fresno is expected to respond and investigate the bite and the health of the dog. If a dog bite occurs, county law requires that the victims report immediately to local authorities or a medical professional. Dog bites can be incredibly damaging, and if left untreated, can result in life-threatening damages.
What To Do After A Dog Bite
Most dog bites occur at home, and by dogs that we are most familiar with. Those at the highest risk of dog bites are typically children between ages 5 and 9 and men. However, dog bites can occur through other means as well. It is highly recommended that you are aware of the best method to prevent a dog bite. An expert attorney with experience handling dog bite injury claims can give you further details. Listed below are some tips that could help you avoid a possible dog bite:
- When approached by an unfamiliar dog remain motionless
- If a dog knocks you down curl into a ball with your head tucked and your hands over your ears and neck
- Don’t approach unfamiliar dogs
- When small children play with dogs, make sure they are under supervision.
- If a dog looks as though they are going to attack, don’t run from the dog
- Don’t panic or make loud noises when approached by an unfamiliar dog
- Don’t disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, or caring for its young.
- Don’t pet a dog without allowing it to see you and sniff you first.
- Don’t encourage your dog to play aggressively.
Unfortunately, even after you follow these preventative measures, there is no guarantee that the dog will not bite you. Some dogs will attack regardless if they were provoked or not, so it is important to know what to do after you’ve already received a bite. The treatment for dog bite wounds tends to vary based on the severity of the injury. These degreed treatments 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.
Dog bite wounds can leave truly damaging infections that when left untreated can result in life-threatening conditions. An attorney who has experience in dog bite injury cases can refer you to a proper medical professional. Some common infections that people contract through dog bites are listed below:
- 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.
- 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 greater 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 cause 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.
Suffering any of these infections can lead to not only debilitating health conditions but enormous medical expenses that can leave a victim with a mountain of debt. Dog bite wounds can also lead to emotional and mental health damages that can sometimes be impossible to recover from fully. For this reason, victims of dog bite wounds have every right to pursue legal action and file a lawsuit against the dog owner for proper compensation for their damages. However, like with all lawsuits, it is incredibly important that you hire an experienced attorney to handle your case.
How Normandie Law Firm Can Help
Dog bites can be both incredibly physically damaging, and emotionally traumatizing. If you or a loved one has experienced a dog bite as a result of the negligence or misconduct of an owner, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against them. At Normandie Law Firm, one of the top legal groups in Southern California, our experienced lawyers can assist you in the often arduous process of building your case, filing your claim, and collecting compensation for your damages. While our attorneys are based out of Los Angeles, we also practice in Fresno County and throughout the entire state of California.
FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION: As a show of 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. Call now for a free consultation by a qualified lawyer experienced in dog bite cases, and we can guide you down the path of receiving proper compensation for your damages.
