Dog Bite Prevention and Legislation

Although the majority of dog bites in Los Angeles may not result in injury, disfigurement, infection or permanent disability, getting bitten by a dog can be a terrifying and painful experience.

According to Wikipedia, approximately 55,000 people world-wide die each year from rabies.¹ Most of these are from dog bites. It is also estimated that two percent of the U.S. population, from 4.5 to 4.7 million people, are bitten by dogs each year, according to a 2013 Report of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).²

Prevention of dog bites and dog attacks

There are certain dog breeds labelled “high-risk” by insurance companies due to their above-average track record for bites and attacks. These include:

• Rottweilers
• Pitbulls
• Labradors
• Doberman pinchers
• Boxers
• German Shepherds

Some dangerous dogs are intentionally bred for specific purposes. Commonly referred to as guard dogs, they are used for personal protection and guarding of property. Attack dogs, however, are generally used by police and the military and trained to attack on demand. If a guard dog canine erroneously bites a bystander, the dog owner may be held liable for the damages.

There are a lot of things you could do if you own a dangerous dog to safeguard against aggressive behavior. Rottweilers may require a large amount of socialization and training. Keeping your dog inside your property is important. Dogs that run loose or have access to outside the dog owner’s property may pose a danger to innocent kids and bystanders that are simply walking on a public sidewalk. If you are walking a dog with a high propensity for aggression in public areas, you should control your dog on a leash.

Legislation to prevent dog bite accidents

There is ongoing debate between law makers, animal rights activists and lobbyists about dog laws.

Regulations passed to prevent dog bites include leash laws, muzzle laws, mandatory signage on private property and locked enclosures.

There is breed-specific legislation in over 700 U.S. Cities. These laws vary from state to state. For example, in California, Florida, Texas, Michigan and Rhode Island, there are “strict liability” laws that hold dog owners strictly liable for any injuries their dog causes.

Dog restrictions regulations on dangerous dogs have curbed the number of dog bites and dog attacks.

Owners of dogs should be aware of possible denial of home owner insurance policies or insurance coverage exclusion for damages caused from a resident dangerous dog and banning of dangerous dogs in certain areas, making it illegal to harbor a dangerous dog.

Dangerous dogs are more apt to attack a person because they are prone or have a propensity for aggression, territorialism, or protectiveness which may make biting innocent bystanders more likely.

Have you been bitten by a dog?

If you or a family member has been injured by a dog in Los Angeles, you need to speak to one of our dog bite lawyers. Dog bites may involve the transfer of harmful bacteria to the victim that can lead to illness if not treated. The Dominguez Firm represents victims suffering from both physical and psychological damage from a dog bite. Call us at 800-818-1818 for a free consultation so we can learn more about your dog bite case and discuss the possibility of filing a dog bite lawsuit.