Home to stunning natural landscapes like Joshua Tree National Park, Mount Baldy, Lake Arrowhead, and Big Bear Lake, San Bernardino is certainly a beautiful city. Its residents are hard-working Americans with respect for the community. Many of the residents are pet-owners, and some own dogs and consider them a real part of their family. However, in certain situations, these loyal animals can bite when they feel threatened or anxious causing them to bite the source of these feelings. Unfortunately, these bites can have some seriously damaging implications. Reports have shown that approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States every year. From these 4.5 million bite incidents, 1 out of 5 bite wounds become infected. These bite infections can cause severe damage to your health and overall well-being. If you or a loved one have ever experienced a dog bite, it is important to understand what to do after receiving the bite, and what laws protect you from further trauma. These laws tend to vary from county to county, and it is helpful to understand the details of the laws that influence your particular county. This article will focus on laws that affect dog bite incidents in San Bernardino. If you require information about dog bites in the city, contact an accomplished lawyer with experience handling dog bite claims at the top-rated Normandie Law Firm.
Dog Bite Laws in San Bernardino
The dog bite laws in San Bernardino require that all dogs and cats are quarantined after they bite someone and break the skin. This quarantine is required regardless of any previous rabies vaccinations. Quarantine in San Bernardino can be carried out at the City Animal Control Shelter, a private veterinary clinic, or the residence of the pet owner. Typically, the Animal Control officer will determine the place of quarantine based on the conditions of the bite, previous bite history of the animal, the owner’s ability to satisfy any quarantine requirements, and whether local ordinances were in observance at the time of the bite. If a pet owner fails to quarantine their pet, they can be put into custody. San Bernardino also operates under a strict Leash law, meaning that all dogs have to be kept on a leash or other suitable restraint. This can include a fence or wall. If a dog owner lets their dog loose on their unfenced yard, they could face being charged with violation of the law.
If you or a loved one have been bitten by a dog, you have every right to pursue legal action against the party responsible. Under San Bernardino County and California State Law, the owner of the dog can be held liable for the damages inflicted. However, when pursuing legal action, it is in your best interest to retain the assistance of a skilled attorney with expertise in dog bite injury lawsuits.
The Implications & What To Do
Dog bites occur more often at home than anywhere else. Many people are also surprised to find out that they are likely to be caused by dogs that they are already familiar with. Those at the highest risk of suffering from a dog bite are children aged 5 to 9 years old, and men. That is not to say that a dog bite can’t occur anywhere else. You should always be aware of the best course of action to prevent a dog bite. Listed below are some preventative measures of dog bites:
- 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 strange 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
Sometimes even following these preventative steps may not keep you from being bitten by a dog. Sometimes poor owners will train their dog to be vicious for the sake of being vicious and will attack regardless. For this reason, if you are ever attacked by a dog, there are some things you should do to treat the wound based on the severity of the injury. These suggested 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 bites can be incredibly damaging, and if not treated adequately can lead to deadly infections. Some common infectious diseases from dog bites are listed 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 bacteria called Clostridium tetani, and can cause rigid paralysis in people exposed to it through deep bite wounds.
This is just a portion of the infections and damages that you could sustain in the event of a dog bite. Fortunately, some laws protect you from experiencing the total severity of these damages without some form of retribution. These laws tend to vary from county to county, and it is in your best interest to keep yourself informed about the laws that influence your county in the event of a dog bite incident. An expert attorney who has experience in dog bite laws can help you stay informed.
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 law firms in Southern California, our qualified attorneys with experience in dog bite cases can assist you in the often arduous process of building your case, filing your claim, and collecting compensation for your damages. While our experienced lawyers are based out of Los Angeles, we also practice in San Bernardino, San Jose, Oakland, San Francisco, Sacramento, Fresno, San Diego, Orange County, Stockton, Bakersfield, and throughout the entire state of California.
FREE CONSULTATION: As a show of this commitment to you and your case, we offer our clients the benefits of a zero fee guarantee policy. Contact us today to speak with an experienced attorney about our promise. 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 one of our skilled attorneys, and we can guide you down the path of receiving proper compensation for your damages. A lawyer experienced in dog bite cases will be available to take your call.
