If a dog bites your child in SanDiego, your initial focus will be on getting them to safety and providing first aid. In serious dog bite attacks, call 911 for emergency help. Even if the bite looks minor, consult a doctor. They will work to reduce the chance of infection and may suggest preventative treatments like an anti-tetanus shot.
If you are able to do so, gather evidence at the scene of the accident. This includes taking photographs of the dog and the bite injuries and getting the contact details of any witnesses. When an unsupervised dog attacks your child in a public place, images of the dog and the location where the dog bite attack occurred can be the only way to identify a liable party.
You should also report the dog bite to the authorities. Call San Diego Animal Services. To comply with San Diego County Code 62.615, dog owners are required to report dog bite incidents themselves, but you cannot rely on them to do so.
First Aid After a Dog Bites Your Child
Dog bite injuries often become infected. Cleaning the wound helps reduce the chance of secondary infection setting in. If a wound is bleeding freely, apply light yet firm pressure with a clean cloth or bandage and get emergency help as soon as possible. If the severely bleeding wound is on an arm or leg, elevate it above the level of the heart to help reduce blood flow.
Report the Dog Bite Incident to Animal Services
Animal Services investigates dog bite attacks and when bites are serious, it imposes quarantine to monitor the animal for transmissible diseases. The organization also protects others by declaring certain dogs a public nuisance or dangerous animal. In that case, they impose restrictions on the owner and may even require the dog to be destroyed.
Healthcare personnel will document injuries and medical treatments, but you should record everything that occurs, starting as soon as possible. You can relay this personal dog bite report to your lawyer so that they have an in-depth understanding of your situation when seeking compensation.
If Someone Else’s Dog Bites Your Child, They Are Liable For Damages
In California, pet owners are liable if their dog bites. Per Cal. Civ. Code § 3342, this applies even if they did not know their pet was dangerous, and when your child is a visitor to their home.
Although they may claim that your child is at fault because they excited the dog, they were still in charge of the animal and should have provided supervision. In dog bite cases, the only real defense a dog owner can bring is that a person was not lawfully on their property.
Children are particularly vulnerable to serious injury when dogs bite, and there is a strong likelihood that you can claim compensation from the dog’s owner. To demonstrate liability, your lawyer must show that a particular dog attacked and identify its owner. Consult a San Diego dog bite lawyer to get specific information on what you can expect from your case.