QUESTION: Would I have a case against the police department if their dog almost tore my leg off? The calf on my leg is pretty much gone. No charges were brought against me. I can email pictures. ANSWER: That depends on the situation. But the no action could be brought against the police if the dog biting incident occurred during the apprehension or holding of a suspect where the police has a reasonable suspicion of the suspect’s involvement in criminal activity, or in the investigation of a crime or possible.
QUESTION: While walking my dog, a large pit bull got out of its owner’s yard and attacked and killed my little dog. It also bit me on my knuckle. I have been unable to sleep since the attack and I find it hard to stay focused. Can I sue the owner? How do I find an attorney that handles this kind of case? ANSWER: Dog owners are generally held strictly liable for damages caused by their pets to a person if it happens in a public place [CC § 3342(a)]..
QUESTION: If someone enters my home without permission and my dog bites them, can I be sued for the injury? ANSWER: The “dog bite statute” of California mainly puts the responsibility on the owners of dogs that injure others [CC § 3342(a)]. For example, if a victim was bitten by a dog owned by another tenant in an apartment complex, generally, the owner, and NOT the apartment complex management, will be held liable for the injuries sustained.
QUESTION: I just moved into a new apartment and the management never notified me that my downstairs neighbor had 2 service dogs. During the process of moving, my brother and I met the downstairs neighbor as she was walking her dogs. She said they were her therapy dogs and asked us if we want to pet them. So we did. But without warning, the dog bit me on my arm. When I went to the management, they said they had prior knowledge that the dogs were dangerous, but never did.
QUESTION: Am I responsible if my dog bites someone who puts their hands over my fence while my dog is in my yard? ANSWER: Generally, the “dog bite statute” of California would hold the owner of the dog “liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog.”
QUESTION: I was jogging when I was attacked and bitten by a pitbull. I had bites on my hands and legs, but not very serious injuries. However, I am now very terrified of going out to jog after the attack. The owner gave up the ownership of the dog. Can I still hold him responsible? ANSWER: The laws of the state of California state that generally, the owner of the dog is responsible for the damages or injury that his/her pet might cause if the attack happens in a public.