While dogs are considered trusted companions and are found to improve someone’s overall well-being, they are still animals and can sometimes bite. When that happens, the consequences can be severe. Dog bites can inflict serious bodily injuries on people, especially young children.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dog bites are a greater health issue for children than whooping cough, mumps, and measles combined. Injuries from dog bites occur more often than bike accidents, skateboards, or mopeds.

If you or a family member has sustained severe dog bite injuries in Napa or the surrounding area, you may be entitled to pursue monetary compensation to cover your damages. Call our skilled injury lawyers at (707) 564-1900 for a free consultation.

It’s essential to understand why dog bites occur to prevent them from happening and ensure your safety. Some common reasons include:

• Dogs can bite when threatened, frightened, or startled by someone.
• If someone gets too close to a mother dog tending to her puppies, she may bite to protect her puppies.
• When dogs are in pain, they should be left alone. Even friendly dogs can bite when they are in pain.
• Dogs may exhibit prey-driven instincts such as chasing, pulling, pouncing, or shaking if they see someone jogging, cycling, or running.

Every dog has the potential to bite. However, some breeds are more aggressive than others. The breeds most likely to bite are:

• Pitbull
• Bulldog
• Bullmastiff
• German Shepherd
• Cocker Spaniel
• Rottweiler
• Bull Terrier
• Chow Chow
• Dogo Argentino
• Australian Shepherd
• Great Dane
• Lhasa Apso
• Pekingese
• Siberian Husky

Injuries from a dog bite vary and can include:

• Bite wounds
• Bone fractures
• Brain injury
• Disfigurement
• Eye injury
• Nerve damage
• Scarring
• Tendon damage
• Torn muscles

The basics of responsible dog ownership can help reduce the risk of dog bites. Here are some tips to prevent a dog bite:

• Don’t interrupt a dog while eating, sleeping, or tending to puppies.
• Don’t make loud noises or panic in front of a dog.
• Don’t encourage a dog to play aggressively.
• Don’t leave a child with a dog unsupervised.
• Stay still if an unfamiliar dog approaches you.
• Ask the owner for permission to pet the dog.

Watch the following video for more safety tips on protecting yourself in a dog attack.

Children and the elderly are the most common victims of dog bite injuries. Small children are more vulnerable since they may be unable to defend themselves. Most dog bite incidents that involve young children have occurred while interacting with familiar dogs and during everyday activities. The elderly are also at risk of suffering a catastrophic injury from a dog bite because of their fragility.

Many crucial steps should be taken after a dog bite incident to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones. They include:

• Clean the wound. The injury area should be washed with warm water and soap immediately after a dog attack.
• Seek medical care. Since a dog bite can cause an infection, it is essential to get medical care.
• Find the owner of the dog. When filing a personal injury claim, knowing who owns the dog and whether the dog’s immunization shots are current.
• Report the incident to animal control. You must file a report with the police and local animal control, even if the injury is minor.
• Take pictures of your injuries. The photos should show any wounds, injuries, and bruises resulting from the dog bite.
• Talk to an experienced dog bite attorney to understand your rights and what legal actions can take to file a compensation claim.

Most people are unaware of the severity of dog bites. The majority of dogs have strong jaws that can cause traumatic injuries. Individuals who have been bitten by a dog may pursue a claim for damages such as:

• medical expenses
• loss of earning potential
• disfigurement
• emotional distress
• mental anguish
• pain and suffering
• replacement of personal property

According to California law, the dog owner that causes injuries to someone else can be held liable for damages incurred. The injured party can recover financial compensation through a personal injury claim. While recovery is not always available for those who trespass on a private place or provoke a dog, the dog owner is often responsible for the losses.

Dog bites pose a serious health risk to families. If you or a loved one has suffered catastrophic injuries from a dog bite, please call our Napa County dog bite lawyers today at (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly, and compassionate advice. View our long history of winning high Verdicts and Settlements.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 8.22.23] Image by Katrin B. from Pixabay cha bw llo [cs 843]}