Adopted Dog Bites Owner
When you adopt a dog from an animal shelter you want to save that animal’s life. You fall in love and think that this will be their forever home. However, sometimes when you adopt a dog there’s always a chance that, that lovable animal has some real issues. You just have to know how to deal with them, and some issues can’t be dealt with.
A dog who got adopted recently from the Lake County animal shelter has sadly bit it’s new owner.
According to reports, the dog’s name is Heaven. Heaven was also known to be aggressive before being adopted. The incident called for deputies to come out to a call of a dog bite incident.
Owner, Matt Waldron said that Heaven had bitten him. Waldron said Heaven bit his arm and left a puncture mark. Apparently Waldron was giving Heaven “verbal punishment” for going to the bathroom in the house.
Director of Human Safety, Brian Sheahan’s Statement:
Dog behavior is a tricky thing. Every dog reacts to different stimuli and different environments, and there are different triggers.
Unfortunately Heaven hasn’t had much of a chance to settle in since Waldron said that he had adopted Heave on Saturday. Heaven is a pit bull mix. Sadly, Heaven has snapped at Waldron and his child.
According to Waldron after Heaven had bitten him he wasn’t able to get near the animal again. It was snarling and growling after the bite.
Luckily the responding officer recognized the dog from the animal shelter and knew to proceed with caution. Sadly when the officers arrived the dog was found tied up and was abandoned at a home.
Once the animal was in the shelter’s care there were three separate assessments done to see about the dog’s aggression. Even though the shelter was concerned about the aggression issues the shelter claimed that Heaven was adoptable. The shelter never warned the new family about Heaven’s aggressing issues
Sheahan’s Statement:
One of the things we’ve already implemented as of yesterday is ensuring that every adopted animal, whether it’s a rescue or an individual, (includes) a complete animal history with the adoption.
After finding out about Heaven’s aggression history he no longer wanted to keep Heaven. So, Heaven was taken back to the Lake County Animal Services.
The shelter took Heaven back, even though the adoptee signed the shelter paperwork that states that the new owner is accepting all risks, even bites.
Sheahan’s Statement:
We do our best to assess them and make sure they’re safe to the public.
In Orange County all new adopters are required to sign a waiver that acknowledges that they are aware of all the new pet’s behavior issues.
Daniel Gibalevich – Dog Bite Attorney Los Angeles
If you or someone you love has been the victim of a dog or animal bite and you would like to learn more about how to recover damages from your injuries, please contact the California personal injury attorneys at the DAG Law Firm for support in making informed decisions about your case.
Strict Liability and the One Bite Rule
Each year, millions of dog bite cases are reported across the United States with many that go unreported. Experiencing an attack by a dog can be terrifying and traumatic and can cause significant injury. In the state of California, a “Strict Liability” statute is enforced in situations where dogs attack and injure another person. The “One Bite Rule” does not apply and owners are 100% responsible and liable for compensation associated with any injuries suffered by their dog.
Understanding Your Case
Depending on the severity of an injury as well as case specifics, a dog owner may be held accountable at both a civil and criminal level. There are multiple varieties of dog bite lawsuits within the state of California and it is important to clearly understand the nature of your case to determine whether it was the result of Negligence, Scienter (knowledge of a dog’s prior history of aggression) or Intentional Tort (an owner’s intent for a dog to exhibit aggressive behavior).
Comparative Negligence and the “Bad Dog” Exception
The skilled attorneys at the DAG Law Firm will assist you in knowing clearly whether you are liable for Comparative Negligence (a victim’s level of responsibility in the provocation of the dog’s aggression) as well as the “Bad Dog” exception, in which signs are clearly displayed on the property, indicating “Beware of Dog.” In some cases, a property owner or landlord may be held liable for damages caused by a tenant’s dog if they had prior knowledge of aggressive. Other conditions, such as a landlord’s failure to enforce dog removal when a tenant breaches a “No Dog” policy in their rental agreement may result in property owner liability.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Victims of dog bite accidents may suffer severe physical injuries as well as psychological and emotional traumas that may include:
- Puncture Wounds
- Broken Bones and Bone Dislocation
- Lacerations, Contusions and Abrasions
- Amputation
- Cosmetic Disfigurement
- Infection
- Psychological and Emotional Trauma
- Death
Compensation for your Dog Bite Injuries
If you or someone you love has suffered injuries as a result of a dog attack, you may be entitled to compensation for the following damages:
- Payment for current and ongoing medical expenses
- Payment for mental health treatment
- Payment for emotional and psychological distress
- Payment for loss of wages and income earning ability
- Payment for pain and suffering
Speak to an Attorney – Dog Bite Attorney Los Angeles
Daniel A. Gibalevich
Law Offices of Daniel A. Gibalevich
