A woman who was riding her bicycle was injured in a dog bite incident after a terrier attacked her, The Davis Patch reports. Officials say the woman was pedaling near another woman and a small child who were each walking a dog on its leash near the Rio Grande entrance to the Green Belt in Yolo County. The dog that was being walked by the adult lunged at the victim on the bicycle and bit her. She suffered what have been described as moderate injuries. The dog owner did not stop and kept walking.
Yolo County Animal Control officials are trying to track down the dog, which has been described as a small, white terrier with tan markings and wavy hair. Officials say the dog owner is a woman who is about 30 years old with dark, shaggy hair. She was wearing a white sweatsuit and holding a cell phone at the time her dog bit the bicyclist, officials say. The woman was walking with a 5- to 6-year-old girl with curly blonde pigtails. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office at 530-668-5287.
My heart goes out to the injured victim of this dog attack. I’m relieved to hear that she was not critically injured. I wish her the very best for a speedy and full recovery. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.
Dog Bite Injuries
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that each year, approximately 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States. Of these dog attack victims, almost 800,000 require medical attention, with a small percentage of dog bite injuries resulting in fatalities. Dog attacks can also result in severe bite wounds, scarring, disfigurement, nerve injuries and broken bones.
Dog Owner Liability
Based on this news report, it appears that the dog owner did not stop to talk to the victim or exchange information after the incident occurred. It also appeared that the dog bit the bicyclist without any provocation. Under California’s “strict liability statute” dog owners can be held liable for injuries caused by their pets. California’s Civil Code Section 3342 states: “The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.”
In such cases, dog bite victims can seek compensation from the negligent dog owner for damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, surgery, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Injured victims would be well advised to contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation and hold the negligent dog owner accountable.
SLS Consulting