An elderly woman was injured in a Fresno dog attack after a pit bull bit her in her leg on the morning of June 23. According to a Fox26 news report, the incident occurred near Olive Avenue and First Street in Fresno.
Police say the 70-year-old woman was outside recycling when the dog broke through a fence. The dog charged at the woman and bit her in the leg, police said. Heavy police presence was reported on the scene, including the SPCA, who showed up to help safely capture the dog.
Dog Owners Located and Dog Captured
The dog was eventually captured and taken to the SPCA for observation. Officials said the dog was someone’s pet, but that the owners were not home at the time of the attack. It is not known what might happen to the dog, but officials said the dog’s owners “will be advised of the situation.”
The victim was treated for her injuries, which are not considered life-threatening. Police are asking anyone with more information about the dog or the attack to contact them at 559-621-7000.
It is indeed a relief to note that the injured dog bite victim survived and did not end up suffering major or critical injuries. We wish her the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Steps to Take After a Dog Attack
Here are some of the critical steps that victims of dog bites would be well advised to take after an attack:
Identify the dog’s owner. This is one of the most important steps to take. If the dog ran loose from a neighbor’s house, your neighbor is responsible for retrieving the pet and restraining it. It would be a good idea to get the owner’s name, contact information, and vaccination records for the dog.
Contact animal control officials. Call your local animal control department (usually part of the police) to report the dog attack. They will then investigate the incident and determine whether the dog is dangerous.
Get prompt medical attention. Dog bites can be dangerous because they can become infected. Seek and obtain prompt medical care and attention for your bite injuries.
Gather evidence. If possible, take pictures of the dog, the attack scene, and your injuries. Preserve any torn or bloody clothing you were wearing at the time. Obtain names and contact information for anyone who may have witnessed the attack.
Contact a law firm experienced in dog bite cases. Under California’s strict liability statute, dog owners can be held financially responsible for the injuries, damages and losses their pets caused.
As a victim, you may be able to seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, cost of rehabilitation, pain and suffering and emotional distress. An experienced California dog bite lawyer will be able to help you secure maximum compensation for your losses and protect your best interests.
Source: https://kmph.com/news/local/heavy-police-response-after-elderly-woman-attacked-by-dog-in-fresno-police-say-bite-fence-break-through-recycling-thursday-spca-situation-discovered-charged
Brian Chase
Articles and blogs have been reviewed by legal in-house staff. Brian Chase is the managing partner of Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP. He is the lead trial lawyer and oversees cases handling dangerous and defective products that injure consumers. Brian is a top-rated injury attorney with numerous legal honors and awards for his work relating to auto defects and dangerous products. His firm has recovered over $1B for its clients. Brian is a frequent speaker for CAOC, Dordick Trial College and OCTLA, covering personal injury trial techniques.
