California Dog Bite Lawyers

Animal Attack Attorneys in Orange County, Los Angeles & San Francisco

Videos Answer Questions About Dog Bite & Attack Cases

• Which Dogs Are Most Aggressive?
• Whose Fault Is It When a Dog Bites?
• What Should You Do When a Dog Bites?
• Do You Need a Dog Bite Lawyer?
• Are Dog Attacks on the Rise?
• How Much is a Dog Bite Claim Worth?
• What Are the Most Horrendous Dog Attacks?
• Should You Handle Your Own Dog Bite Claim?
• What is Covered in a Dog Bite Claim?
• How Many Dog Bites Happen?
• Does Homeowner's Insurance Cover Dog Bites?

It may surprise you that California is ranked first in the nation in fatal dog attacks. Insurers nationwide pay out over $1 billion in claims related to animal bites annually. One-third of the money paid out through homeowners' liability claims are related to dog attacks.

BISNAR | CHASE handles numerous California dog bite attack cases each year. We can use our best knowledge and experience to represent your case and achieve results. In our experience the most dangerous month for dog attacks is August. The days are long, it's been hot for months, the gardeners are coming and going and children are generally home from school; a dangerous combination.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Michigan Association of Insurance Agents and the U.S. Postal Service compiled a startling array of statistics about dog attacks. Here are some of the results:

• There are approximately 4.7 million dog bites per year nationwide.
• The number of dog bite attacks requiring medical attention has increased 15 times faster than the increase in dog ownership.
• There are more than 850,000 dog bites requiring medical attention in the U.S. yearly.
• In a twelve-month period from 1995 to 1996, at least 25 people in the U.S. have died from dog attacks, 20 of whom were children.
• Letter carriers suffer about 3,000 dog bites annually as they deliver the mail.

These alarming conclusions show that this is a problem that is getting worse, not better. Victims of dog bite attacks can sustain painful and life-altering injuries, including deep skin wounds, loss of fingers, infections and scarring. Dogs that are prone to attack are a liability and the owners need to be held responsible for them.

Children Most Often the Victims of Dog Attacks

Children are most often the victims of serious dog attacks for several reasons. They are boisterous, loud and make unpredictable movements that can scare dogs. And what a child might see as an expression of love--a simple hug--can be an explicit threat to the animal.

The Most Vicious Dog Breeds

In the period from 1979 to 1996, there were 154 reported fatal dog attacks. Five breeds accounted for two-thirds of those attacks. Those breeds, in order of the most fatalities, are Pit Bull, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Husky and Alaskan Malamute. Pit Bulls were responsible for twice as many fatal attacks as any other breed and over half of all fatal attacks. We have handled more cases involving Rottweilers than any other breed.

California Dog Bite Law
Civil Code Section 3342

It is not necessary for the plaintiff, in a California case, to prove that the dog was known to be vicious or had a propensity to bite. One bite is alone sufficient to support liability. Under California law, all the Plaintiff (injured person) must prove to recover for a dog bite injury is:

• The defendant owned the dog
• The dog bit the plaintiff
• The plaintiff was lawfully on the premises where the dog bite took place
• The dog bite caused the plaintiff injuries

Most Important for Dog Attack Cases

The most important aspect of prosecuting a dog attack case is to secure evidence as quickly as possible. We have our investigator on the scene, usually within an hour of notification, in order to gather and preserve evidence. The best evidence that we seek to obtain immediately is the identity of the dog and its owner, photographs of the dog, identity of witnesses, witness statements, and photographs of the injuries and location of the attack.

If you or a loved one has suffered from a dog bite or animal attack, contact the accomplished California dog bite lawyers at BISNAR | CHASE for a free consultation. We will use our experience, knowledge and resources to achieve the best possible results for you and your family.

Be on the Hit-and-Run Lookout

BISNAR | CHASE, in conjunction with WeTip, a leading anonymous crime reporting service and law enforcement advocacy non-profit organization, is launching a program intended to wipe out hit-and-runs in the state of California by offering rewards for tips leading to the arrest and felony conviction of hit-and-run drivers. See Hit-and-Run Reward for more details.

BISNAR | CHASE 2006-2010 Super Lawyers names outstanding lawyers from more than 60 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. BISNAR | CHASE has received this award for five consecutive years. Brian Chase was named one of the 2010 Top 50 Orange County Lawyers.