5-Year-Old Severely Bitten By Dog In Anaheim

On Monday afternoon, a 5-year-old boy suffered serious facial injuries after being attacked by a neighbor's dog.  The incident apparently happened at about 1:45 p.m. when the boy was at a neighbor's house in the 1800 block of West Elm Avenue.  According to the Orange County Register, police arrived at the scene to find the boy had sustained "significant facial injuries."  The dog, reportedly a Labrador retriever mix, had no history of aggressive behavior, but was immediately euthanized by Orange County Animal Control.  

See the Orange County Register article HERE.

What this incident seems to demonstrate is that just about any breed of dog is capable of biting.  While we do not know the precise mix, Labrador retrievers are generally regarded as "kind" and "pleasant" dogs, and it seems surprising this attack occurred.  However, even a seemingly docile animal can attack with little to no provocation.  Under California law, the owner of a dog that bites is strictly liable for the injuries and damages the victim sustains, regardless of whether the dog has a aggressive propensity.  Because of this statute, most homeowner's insurance policies provide coverage for the dog owner, unless the particular breed of dog is excluded under the policy.  More and more, policies are being written to exclude more notorious breeds such as Pit Bulls and Rottweilers. 

Compensation for the victims of dog attacks should be an important concern for all Californians.  When an innocent victim, particularly a small child, is bitten and seriously injured by a dog, the dog's owner(s) should be held accountable for all of the injuries and damages suffered by the victim and their family.   An Orange County dog bite attorney with experience at handling such cases can make a fair assessment of these claims.  Mr. Ralph has more than 21 years of experience handling personal injury cases, including just this type.  He can be reached at 714-919-4415 for a FREE CONSULTATION.

Have you or a family member been the victim of a dog attack?

Nothing in this post is intended to suggest the Law Offices of Paul W. Ralph currently represents anyone involved in the news story above. This posting should not be construed as legal advice or an opinion on the merit of any particular matter. A consultation is the best way to obtain an assessment of your potential case.