Dog bites can be incredibly damaging for those unfortunate enough to have to experience them. They can leave victims not only with physical damage but emotional trauma as well. According to some studies, 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States every year. These studies have also shown that 1 out of 5 of every one of these dog bites gets infected due to inadequate treatment and a failure to seek out adequate medical assistance. For this reason, there is a multitude of laws in California, and for the sake of this article, San Luis Obispo County that protects dog bite victims from experiencing further trauma. An expert attorney with experience handling dog bite cases can give you more details. Contact one of the top law firms in California, Normandie Law Firm, to speak with an experiecned attorney.
San Luis Obispo County
San Luis Obispo County known for beautiful tourist spots like Hearst Castle and the Monterey National Marine Sanctuary is a coastal county located in Central California. One of the most iconic locations in San Luis Obispo County is the Central Coast, where visitors from around the world come to kayak, surf, camp and take in the stunning California coast. San Luis Obispo County is home to roughly 269,000 people and makes up the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande Metropolitan Area. As well as playing host to plenty of natural beauties, San Luis Obispo County is also home to the city of San Luis Obispo, which is the native city of the prestigious California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. With all the county has to offer, very few expect to be bitten by a dog, and that is mostly with the help of the number of city and county ordinances enforced there.
San Luis Obispo County Dog Bite Ordinances
In San Luis Obispo County there are some animal attack and dog bite laws that help protect the visitors and residents in the area. Some of the preventative laws enforced in the area are the license and leash laws. License laws in San Luis Obispo County dictate that all dogs over four months of age are required to adequately licensed. This license can assist owners in finding their dog if they end up lost, but can also help animal control center personnel in identifying whether or not the dog is up to date on all of its vaccinations. Leash law in San Luis Obispo County states that when on public or private property of another, the dog is to be appropriately restrained via a leash or a harness. This law also dictates that the person handling the dog is fully capable of doing so.
In the event of a bite, San Luis Obispo dog bite laws indicate that the bite is reported right away to the San Luis Obispo County Animal Services. A dog bite can also be reported to a medical professional that is treating a dog bite victim. After the bite occurs, California dog bite laws and local county dog bite laws dictate that the dog is to put on quarantine. During this quarantine, the health of the dog is monitored to ensure the dog in question has not contracted rabies or any other infectious bacterial disease. Quarantine can take place at the home, a vet’s office, or a San Luis Obispo County Animal Services Center. The duration of this quarantine can change depending on the circumstances of the bite, but in almost all cases, a quarantine can last for as little as 10 days and for as long as 180 days.
These laws in San Luis Obispo County are put in place to help protect county locals and visitors from the full extent of trauma a dog bite can cause. Dog bites, and especially dog bite infections can lead to some truly dangerous consequences, and as such should be avoided and prevented at all costs. For any medical recommendations, you can consult with an accomplished lawyer experienced in dog bite cases today.
The Damages & How To Avoid A Dog Bite
Dog bites can in some cases cause some severe damages that, if not treated immediately, can become life-threatening. These infections are typically transferred via contact with a dog’s saliva, with the human bloodstream, and are in most cases caused by bacteria. Some of the common bacterial infections contracted by dog bites are listed as follows:
- 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 is incredibly important in regards to the long-term damages that a dog bite can cause. While it is always in your best interest to seek adequate medical attention if you suffer a dog bite, there are treatments that you can perform at home that can stave off the long-term damages of a dog bite. These treatments tend to vary based on the severity of the bite, and are listed below for your reference:
- 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.
According to some studies, young children between ages 5 and 9 and men are more likely to get bitten by a dog more than anyone else. In truth, a dog bite can occur to anyone at any time, and for this reason, it is highly recommended you understand the best steps you can take to prevent a dog bite from occurring. Some of these preventative measures are as follows:
- 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.
When following these steps, there is no guarantee that a dog will not bite you. Some dogs are trained to bite even when unprovoked. This is why there are some laws put in place in San Luis Obispo that protect residents and visitors from the full damages that a dog bite can cause. California dog bite law also states that the owner of a dog that bit someone is to be held liable for the damages inflicted. This means the dog bite victim has every right to seek representation from a skilled attorney with expertise in dog bite injury lawsuits to assist them in filing a claim against the dog owner responsible for their injuries.
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
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 qualified attorneys with experience in dog bite cases in California can assist you in understanding the San Luis Obispo dog bite laws that influence your case. While we are based in Los Angeles, our experienced lawyers also practice in San Diego, Orange County, Riverside, Bakersfield, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento and throughout the state of California.
Free Second Opinions
Other attorneys will sign you up to their firm but will disappear once your name is on the paper as they are busy signing up more cases. In these instances, their business is based more on volume and will attempt to sign up as many cases as possible. In turn, they will spend less time on cases resulting in severely reduced settlements. Our firm will not treat you like a number. We will be in communication with you throughout our lawsuit and will treat you like family. So if you already have an attorney don’t worry, we’ll give you a second review of your case 100% free of charge.
Zero Fee Guarantee-No Upfront Fees Ever
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. An attorney who has experience in dog bite cases will be available to talk with you.
