The parents of a young child are facing criminal charges of child endangerment after they were accused of leaving their daughter alone in a room with a dog that eventually bit her.
According to police reports, officers were responding to a call at a motel in Palm Desert, when they were informed that a 5-year-old child had been bitten by a dog. The dog, which was revealed to be a family dog, was a pit bull mix.
The young girl was taken to an area hospital, and treated for non life-threatening injuries. However, investigators soon discovered that the parents had left the child alone in their room with the dog, which lead to felony charges for willful harm to a child. The dog was also apprehended, and taken into custody by Riverside County Animal Services.
Dog Bite Injuries in California
Dog bites and dog attacks can cause serious and sometimes fatal injuries, especially for younger children. If you are a dog owner in the state of California, it is important to understand the state’s laws regarding owner liability in the event a dog bites and injures another individual. After all, these types of incidents affect millions of Americans each year.
According to existing state law in California, an owner of a dog may be held liable for a victim’s injuries if:
- The individual’s injury came as a direct result of a dog bite
- The injured person was bitten in a public space, or while lawfully in a private place
However, there is an exception to the liability laws for dog bites in California. That exception is reserved for dogs and dog bites that occur during the course of military or police work.
California state law also requires that, if a dog has bitten an individual in the past, the owner must take reasonable, necessary steps to remove any clear and present danger presented to others from being bitten by the animal.
It is, however, important to note that, because California is a “strict liability” state, a dog owner can be held liable for injuries caused by a dog bite, even if the dog has never shown signs of aggression or other vicious behavior. Depending on the situation, a dog bite can result in criminal charges, as well as civil claims that must be filed within a specific time frame after a dog bite incident.
If you or someone you love has been injured after coming into contact with a dog, such as a dog bite, it is important to enlist the assistance of a personal injury attorney, who can investigate your case and determine what grounds, if any, you have to file a personal injury claim.
Dog Bite Attorneys in Los Angeles
For those who reside in Sutter Creek, California, including the City of Los Angeles, the dedicated legal team at Redkey Gordon Law can provide the support and legal guidance necessary when dealing with personal injury matters, including those stemming from dog bites or attacks.
Our firm has a great deal of experience in handling dog bite cases, and can work with you to determine your rights to any damages or compensation, which can help address key challenges in recovery, including medical costs, and pain and suffering.
We know that dealing with personal injury, especially traumatic situations, can prove difficult, but our team of compassionate attorneys are prepared to support you in every step of your recovery.
We invite you to call our legal team at Redkey Gordon Law today at (209) 267-1685 to set up a free initial consultation to assess your case.