Six Dogs Attack Cyclists in Merced County

Two cyclists were attacked on Wednesday morning by a pack of six dogs in Delhi, a small town in Merced County.  One of the two victims, a 49-year-old man, was severely injured and had to be taken to the hospital where he received dozens of stitches.  The first victim was bitten on the ankle about 20 minutes earlier in the day.  The dogs included a Labrador retriever and five Pit Bulls or Pit Bull mixes.  The dogs were rounded up by Merced County Animal Control and their owners have been identified.  They apparently came from three different households.

See the KTLA news story HERE.


Under California's dog bite statute, the owners of the dogs involved in these two attacks will be held liable for the injuries and damages their dogs have caused.  The Merced County District Attorney's office may also file criminal charges against the owners depending on the precise circumstances and a determination of whether the dogs involved in the attacks had a history of aggressive behavior.  Once again, and not surprisingly, the dogs involved in a human attack were of the Pit Bull breed or at least a mix.  While all dog breeds are capable of aggressive behavior, Pit Bulls appear to have the greater tendency and certainly inflict some of the most serious injuries.  One of the mounting problems facing victims of such dog attacks is the fact that a number of dog owners have no insurance and no assets with which to compensate the victims.  Some homeowner's insurance policies even exclude aggressive breeds such as Pit Bulls and Rottweilers.


Compensation for the victims of dog bites should be an important concern for all Californians.  When an innocent victim is bitten and seriously injured by an aggressive dog or dogs, 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 lawyer 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.