In Los Angeles, dog bites are a serious legal matter. Even if a dog has never bitten anyone before, an owner may face charges after a dog bite altercation. If you recently experienced a dog bite, be sure that you understand the defenses the owner may use to dismiss your claim.
One defense that may do away with the charges is a matter of trespassing. For the dog bite statutes of Los Angeles County to apply in your case, the bite must occur in a public place or controlled private environment. If you received a bite while trespassing on someone else’s property, you face trouble getting your charges to stick.
Similarly, you may invalidate your claim if you received a bite after provoking a dog, or purposefully assuming some risk with it. If you poked a dog with a stick or kicked it, for instance, the owner may have a strong provocation defense.
While these are not the only defenses in a dog bite case, they are the most commonly successful. If your charges are successful, the owner may face a number of penalties. Beyond monetary fines for your damages, the owner may have to alter the holding area for the dog, or use specific controlling equipment. If the court determines that the dog remains a danger to others, it may choose to euthanize the creature.
If you recently received a dog bite, be sure to consult with an attorney to determine a strong strategy to use while pursuing fair compensation for your injuries and other losses. With proper legal counsel, you can focus on your own recovery while you work together toward justice.
Source: FindLaw, “Los Angeles Dog Bites: The Basics,” accessed Sep. 29, 2017
