Dog Bite Lawyer in Orange County, CA

As we stated above, it is up to the owner of the dog to ensure the safety of those around the animal. It doesn’t matter if you or a loved one were at the owner’s home; inside their house, yard, or street. The responsibility for the dog attack will rest solely on the owner of the dog. Do not let an acquaintance try to convince you to overlook the attack; an aggressive animal will just keep on being an aggressive animal – especially after an initial attack. The next attack can be even more damaging or can result in even more serious injuries.

We know that this can be a very stressful time. Confronting the owner of the dog who attacked you, a friend, or family member will not result in a favorable outcome. Getting angry will only increase the risk of a violent confrontation that will result in charges being filed against you. The most important thing to do is focus on yourself or those who are suffering from injuries due to the attack. Call the police and/or animal control to get the assistance you need right away. If you know how to safely administer first aid, it is okay to go ahead and do so as well. Once the immediate threat has been dealt with, it is important to reach out to a qualified dog bite attorney. Contacting us immediately will ensure that we begin to build a solid case before any evidence is lost.

Children are particularly prone to suffering from sever psychological trauma after a dog attack. After an attack your child may experience mood swings, nightmares, antisocial behavior, and other serious side effects. Friendships and grades may also be affected. Giving your child as much love and support they need during this time is absolutely crucial to their healing. As a dog bite lawyer in Orange County, we encourage you to seek counseling or psychological treatment your child may need. This is in order to prevent their trauma from affecting any more of their lives than it already has. Be sure to document the details of your child’s side effects, as these details will be crucial for your case.

Besides sustaining severe injuries during an attack, you should also be aware of the diseases that a dog can transmit. One of the most feared and most common diseases that dogs can carry is rabies. There are also other diseases that dog bites transmit. After the attack, it is important that the doctor who treats you performs necessary tests and administers correct treatments. Make sure to inform your treating doctor if you were attacked by a dog that may be a disease carrier. Some of the diseases and symptoms you should know include:

• Rabies – generally the symptoms that the dog displays will help to provide strong evidence of the rabies infection. If the dog’s vaccination status is unknown, animal control can determine whether or not the dog is suffering from
  • excessive saliva production (foaming at the mouth);
  • muscle tremors;
  • seizures;
  • disorientation;

While rabies is a serious disease, it is quite rare in the United States for dogs to transmit it.

• Bacterial Infections – bacterial infections are the most common complication after an animal attack. Depending on the severity of the wound and the location, your doctor will likely prescribe an antibiotic treatment. Note that wounds on the face and hands are more prone to infection.
• Tetanus – While many people have already received their vaccinations against tetanus, it is important to ensure that the victim of the attack receives a booster shot. This is only precautionary and depends on how long it has been since you last got a shot. When you go in for your examination with your doctor, be sure to go over your vaccination history.

Those that fall under this category are diseases a dog transmits due to internal parasitic infections, ticks, other known and unknown pests, and fecal matter. Dogs that spend a lot of time outside can acquire scabies from mites. Ticks transfer Lyme Disease to a dog in dryer areas. The dog can then transfer Lyme disease to a human after an attack. The dog’s fecal matter can oftentimes transmit roundworms to a human. Which an animal can transmit during an attack from the animal’s claws, mouth, or fur. Ringworm is a fungal condition that dogs carry and can transmit in an attack. Symptoms of infection include round hairless patches of fur that look like a worm.

Related: When your dog bites

We know that not all dogs are dangerous, but there are some safety measures to take when you encounter an animal that you may or may not be familiar with. First thing is to avoid interacting with any animals that you are not familiar with. If you do, make sure that you ask the owners permission to approach the animal. It is better to be safe then sorry and it is not worth the risk of aggravating an unknown dog.

The next best thing to do is to teach yourself and your children the signs of aggressive behaviors in dogs.

Early aggressive actions in dogs include:

As a dog owner, it is very important to make sure your children and relatives know how to behave around dogs. This is to reduce their odds of being victims of an attack in the future.

Being a responsible pet owner is one of the most important facets of keeping others safe while in the presence of your dog. This includes providing pets with appropriate enclosures – when needed, clean surroundings, adequate medical care, food, water, and compassionate treatment. Many acts of animal aggression stem from abuse, illness, and a multitude of avoidable factors. We should treat all animals with care and respect and doing so will help to inhibit aggressive behaviors from forming. Your dog should be registered, tagged, microchipped, and/or documented just in case your dog escapes or runs away.

Always remember that you are responsible for both your animal and every other animal, person, and item that your pet comes in contact with. If someone suffers from injuries due your pet biting them, under the law, you are a negligent pet owner and are responsible for any damages.

If you are suffering from injuries due to a dog bite, please contact our dog bite injury attorneys with offices in Ladera Ranch, Huntington Beach and Anaheim. Consultations are free of charge, and there’s no obligation!