What happens when a dog bites a person? If you have been bitten by a dog, you may be entitled to compensation. Contacting a California dog bite lawyer like the ones at Lawyers for Justice, PC is the best course of action to take. And below are insightful factors and scenarios to consider that may resemble the bite that was suffered.
Can The Dog Be Euthanized?
If you have been bitten by a dog, have secured your California dog bite lawyer, and would like one of the consequences of the attack to be euthanasia, otherwise referred to as “putting the dog down,” California has certain laws to consider. Euthanasia can be required after a dog bite in California if the dog meets these requirements:
- If the animal has rabies
- If the dog has bitten at least two other people
- If the canine has attacked or bitten and seriously injured someone
- Or if the dog has been raised to attack people or fight
Unless the dog has rabies and is declared rabid, a hearing is required before the dog is able to be euthanized. Lawyers for Justice, PC’s powerful California dog bite lawyers walk their clients through every step of the hearing process.
The goal of the hearing is to determine whether or not the dog is a threat to public safety. Either party, the owner of the dog or the victim, can petition the court to initiate the hearing process. It is important to know that even if the attacked party can prove injury, the dog owner(s) can present evidence in defense of their dog at the hearing as well. If the court decides that the dog is a threat to the public, they can order the dog to be euthanized. A hearing is one of the most important situations in which a California dog bite lawyer can help those who have been attacked; they can fight for your rights and ensure that all the proper documentation is presented in a strategic manner.
Repeated Offenses
A dog that has bitten at least two people can be euthanized after the aforementioned court hearing. The two bites must have occurred on separate occasions. If a victim was bitten more than once in a single attack, it only counts as a single bite.
Bites do not count towards this two-bite limit if:
- The victim was a trespasser
- The dog was a police or military dog and was “on duty” during the time of the bite.
The two-bite limit is different from the “one bite rule.” The one-bite rule can make a dog owner strictly liable for a dog bite if they should have known about their pet’s dangerous behavior.
Is There An Exception?
A dog that was bred to fight, display violent tendencies, or was trained as an attack dog can be euthanized after a single bite, especially if the bite caused substantial injuries. In this case, a hearing is required before the dog can be euthanized.
The best course of action to take if you have suffered a dog bite is to contact a California dog bite lawyer, like the powerful ones at Lawyers for Justice, PC. Each dog bite lawyer is a powerful voice for clients and ensures they get what they deserve if they have been attacked by a canine.
Rabid Dogs
Dogs that are found to have rabies are euthanized in California. No hearing is required before the dog is put down, however a California dog bite lawyer can help explain the complexities of each specific case.
Each time a dog bites a person in California, a local health official must be notified. A dog bite notification triggers a ten-day quarantine process for the animal. Dogs that are at high risk of carrying rabies are quarantined in a shelter or at a local veterinarian’s office. Animals that are at low risk of having rabies may be quarantined in their owner’s home.
If the dog shows symptoms of rabies during the quarantine and a veterinarian confirms it is rabid, the dog will be euthanized without a hearing. The euthanasia process is carried out to protect the public from the rabid dog’s behavior and the possibility of future attacks.
If the dog does not show signs of rabies during the quarantine, it is released back to its owners.
Dog bites are serious and a California dog bite lawyer can help you understand the legal process better, including which steps to take based upon the severity of the attack. Call Lawyers for Justice, PC today for a FREE consultation at (844) 568-1702. The firm works on a contingency basis, so there is no up-front cost to victims.
