Rarely do we expect our pet dog to bite us in our homes, however, these dogs are still animals, and will still bite or attack when they feel threatened or anxious. These bites can be incredibly damaging and in some instances can leave victims with injuries that can affect them for a lifetime. Reports have shown that approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur every year in the United States. From those 4.5 million dog bite cases, 1 out of 5 become infected. These infections can cause severe damages and in some cases require extensive medical treatment to reach a full recovery. Fortunately, in San Joaquin County, there are some city ordinances that protect visitors and residents from the dangers of dog bites, dog bite infections, and other animal attacks. This article will not only focus on what to do after receiving a dog bite but also the laws that protect dog bite victims in San Joaquin County. For more information, call our top-rated law firm to speak with an expert attorney who has experience in dog bite cases.
San Joaquin County Dog Bite Ordinances
San Joaquin Dog Bite Law requires that all dog owners receive a license for their dog. All dogs over four months of age are required to apply for this license and is put in place in order to ensure that the dog has a current rabies vaccination. As well as keeping others up to date on the dog’s vaccinations, it helps the Animal Services Agency to identify the owner of an impounded or lost animal so they can return them to their owners. This license is required if the dog is kept within the County for over ten days. The County law also requires that in the event of a dog bite, the victims or dog owner must report the bite immediately. In the event of a dog bite, the dog in question is required to go on a ten-day quarantine in order to monitor their health. These quarantines can be carried out either at a dog owner’s home or at an Animal Services Center. In San Joaquin County it is also required that the dog is leashed in public and private spaces where unleashed dogs are prohibited. It is also required that the person restraining the dog is fully able of doing so. Essentially this means, an adult who cannot be overpowered by the dog. Whether a dog is provoked or not, in San Joaquin County and California as a whole, the owner of the dog that attacked someone is held responsible for the damages. The damages from a dog bite can be incredibly severe and can leave victims with a lifetime of chronic injuries. For this reason, it is incredibly important to know what to do to prevent dog bites, and the best course of action if someone has already received one. An experienced attorney can give you more details.
San Joaquin County
Located in the Northern end of Central California, San Joaquin County comprises the Stockton-Lodi Metropolitan area. This area includes cities like San Jose, parts of San Francisco, Oakland, and portions of the San Francisco Bay Area. Founded in February of 1850, the county has boomed to a population of 704,000 people. Visitors from around California state, come to San Joaquin County to visit the Mickie Grove Zoo, the Haggin Museum, and the World of Wonders Science Museum. However, very few visitors or residents ever expect to be bitten by a dog on a regular basis. Thankfully, there are a number of laws in San Joaquin County that protect visitors and residents from experiencing the full trauma of dog bite injuries. To learn more, reach out to a skilled attorney with experience handling dog bite claims.
Dog Bites: Preventative Measures and Damages
Contrary to popular belief, most dog bite incidents occur at home more than anywhere else. They are also mostly caused by dogs that we are familiar with. The individuals who are at the highest risk of dog bites are children between ages 5 and 9 and men. While this may be the case, dog bites can occur through other means and at other locations as well. For this reason, it is in your best interest to understand the recommended course of action to preventing a dog bite. Listed below are some preventative measures for dog bites:
- 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 preventative measures there is no guarantee that you will not be bitten by a dog. Some dogs are trained to attack even when unprovoked, and as such, it is incredibly important to know what you can do to treat the wound. Some of these at-home 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, when left untreated, can result in truly damaging injuries. If a victim does not receive proper treatment, or the dog isn’t up to date on its vaccinations, the victim could be met with truly life-threatening infections. Some common 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 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.
These are just some of the infectious bacteria that a victim could contract as a result of a dog bite. Fortunately, in all dog bites in San Joaquin County, and California as a whole, the dog owner, is considered liable for the damages. When an individual suffers a dog bite, they have every right to sue the dog owner for the damages that they have received. However, when attempting to file a dog bite lawsuit, it is incredibly important to have an accomplished lawyer experienced in dog bite cases on your side.
How Normandie Law Firm Can Help
Having a qualified attorney with expertise in dog bite injury lawsuits on your side can mean the difference between filing a successful claim for compensation and having your case dismissed from court entirely. 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
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 dog bite attorneys can assist you in understanding dog bite ordinances in San Joaquin County and fighting and win your dog bite lawsuit. While we are based in Los Angeles, our experienced lawyers also practice in San Diego, Orange County, Riverside, Bakersfield, San Francisco, Stockton, 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 we can guide you down the path of receiving proper compensation for your damages. Our attorneys with experience in dog bite cases will be available to take your call.
