Dogs are considered trusted companions and friends for many people. Owning a dog has been found to improve overall physical and mental well-being. However, dogs are still animals, and they can sometimes bite, causing severe injuries to people. Many dogs have the potential to inflict serious bodily harm on an individual.

If you have suffered severe injuries in a dog bite incident in Manteca, call our law office at (209) 227-1931 for a free case evaluation.

The types of injuries from a dog bite are endless. They include:

• Bite Wounds
• Bone Fractures
• Disfigurement
• Eye Injury
• Head Injury
• Internal Trauma
• Nerve Damage
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Tendon and Ligament Damage
• Torn Muscles
• Traumatic Brain Injury

• The number of dog bite claims has increased nationwide from 18,123 in 2016 to 18,522 in 2017, accounting for an overall increase of 2.2 percent (according to the Insurance Information Institute)
• More than 28,000 reconstructive surgeries were performed on dog bite victims in 2015 (according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons)
• Over 6,750 employees of the U.S. Postal Service were attacked by dogs in 2016. The city with the most dog attacks was Los Angeles, with 80 incidents (according to the United States Postal Service)

Understanding why dog bites happen is crucial in preventing them from occurring and ensuring your safety. Some of the most common reasons why a dog bite occurs include:

• Fear: A dog can bite when it feels threatened, startled, or frightened by the approach of someone they know or a complete stranger. When a dog bite occurs out of fear, it often happen suddenly and without notice.
• Maternal Instincts: If someone approaches a mother dog tending to her puppies, she may bite that person to protect her litter.
• Pain: Dogs should be left alone when they are in pain or not feeling well. Even the friendliest of dogs can inflict a bite when experiencing pain.
• Prey Demeanors: These prey-driven instincts may include carrying, chasing, pouncing, pulling, or shaking. This aggressive behavior can occur when a dog spots someone cycling, jogging, or running.
• Possessiveness: A dog can present this type of aggression towards other individuals and animals when protecting its property, like its owner, home, food, chew toy, or bone.

Every dog has the potential to bite or even attack those they may know. However, some dog breeds have a history of biting, such as:

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

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in five people who have been bitten by a dog require emergency treatment for resulting injuries. Below are some tips to help keep you and your family safe from a dog bite:

1. Avoid coming into contact with an unfamiliar dog
2. Do not disrupt a dog while it is tending to puppies, eating, or sleeping
3. Do not run away from a dog
4. Do not panic or make loud noises in front of a dog
5. Do not encourage a dog to play with you in an aggressive manner
6. Never leave a small child unsupervised with a dog
7. Remain motionless when approached by an unknown dog
8. Request permission before petting the dog of someone else

Watch YouTube Video – How to Survive a Dog Attack. The following video offers helpful safety tips for protecting yourself during a dog attack.

The most common victims of dog bite injuries are children and the elderly. Children are much more vulnerable to aggressive dogs as they may not escape or defend themselves. A majority of dog bites in young children have been found to have occurred while interacting with familiar dogs and during everyday activities. The elderly are also susceptible to suffering a catastrophic injury from a dog bite due to their fragility. Females are less likely to be bitten by a dog when compared to the male population. Nearly 50 percent of all dog bites involved an animal owned by the neighbors or family of the victim.

There are many crucial steps to take after being bitten by a dog to ensure the safety of yourself or your loved one. These steps include:

1. Locate the dog’s owner. Finding out who owns the dog or where the dog lives and whether the dog’s immunization shots are up to date is critical when bringing a claim for damages.
2. Wash the wound. The wound area should be thoroughly washed with warm water and soap promptly following a dog attack.
3. Seek medical attention. Since a dog bite has a known risk of infection, it is essential to receive medical care promptly.
4. Report the incident to the City of Manteca Animal Services Division or another area animal control agency. Even if you suffered a minor injury, file a report with local law enforcement and your city or county animal control.
5. Take photos of your injuries. These should show any bruises, wounds, and injuries resulting from the dog bite.
6. Contact an experienced attorney to understand what rights you have and what recourse can be taken for claiming compensation.

Many people may be unaware of the severity of dog bites. Most dogs have strong jaws and chest muscles that can be used to cause traumatic injuries. Those who have been bitten by a dog may be able to claim payments for damages such as lost wages, loss of earning potential (if the injury causes permanent disability), disfigurement, emotional distress, mental anguish, medical expenses, and pain and suffering. The replacement of personal property such as glasses, clothes, or watches that may have been damaged during a dog attack may also be considered for reimbursement.

Under California Civil Code section 3342, any dog owner who causes injuries to another party while lawfully in private property or public space can be held liable for damages incurred. Dog bite victims have the right to recover compensation by filing a claim against the homeowner’s insurance policy of the dog owner. While recovery is unavailable for those who provoke a dog or trespass on a private space, dog owners are usually financially responsible for all losses. If insurance is unavailable, a victim may be able to act against the owner. Still, the chances of collecting compensation may be limited unless the owner has independent wealth.

There is a strict limit on the time allowed to file a lawsuit in California. This is known as the statute of limitations, usually two years from the date of injury in a dog bite case. However, if a minor is involved (under 18), the time limit is extended until 18. For instance, a 10-year-old was bitten by a dog on January 1, 2018. That adolescent has two years from when he or she turns 18 to file suit against the owner or keeper of the dog.

If a victim fails to file before this deadline, the court may dismiss the case. This is why retaining a personal injury attorney is critical to protect the statute and secure your right to fair compensation.

I was petting a dog before it attacked me. Can I still bring a claim?

Yes. A claim can be made if you are not provoking the dog. For instance, teasing, poking, or yelling at a dog would all be considered forms of provocation, affecting the outcome of your claim.

I was bitten by a dog when I was visiting someone’s apartment. Do I have a claim?

Yes. You may be able to file a claim if the tenant has renter’s insurance. If the tenant does not have this type of insurance or has insufficient policy limits, you may still be able to file a claim against the landlord and/or the owner for dog bite injuries. A landlord may only be held liable under California law if that landlord knew that the tenant’s dog was dangerous and had the power to prevent the harm.

I suffered a dog bite while I was at work. What now?

If you were bitten by a dog during your work duties, you might have the grounds to file a workers’ compensation claim in California against your employer. If the dog was owned by another party, not your employer, you might also be able to claim against that individual. Since every dog bite case is unique, contacting an experienced lawyer for further clarification is essential.

Dog bites can leave people with serious injuries, resulting in mental and physical damage. Physical injuries from a dog bite can require weeks or even months of rehabilitation, while psychological trauma can last a lifetime. If you or a loved one have been injured due to a dog bite or other injury inflicted by a dog, please contact our injury lawyers at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.

We take cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront attorney fees. We get paid for the successful outcome of your case.

See our Verdicts and Settlements page for a list of our past cases and their outcomes.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 8.31.23] Photo By “freegr” via Pixabay under CC0 Creative Commons ds bw [cs 1609]}