Who Is Liable for a California Dog Bite Injury?

by Staff Blogger | November 3rd, 2014

Dogs are sometimes referred to as “man’s best friend,” but sometimes canines can turn on people with devastating results. Take the case of a 54-year-old Modesto man who was killed as the result of a dog bite injuries that were inflicted by four of his neighbor’s animals. According to KCRA News, the man’s mother was also seriously injured in the incident. Reports indicate the animals made their way into the victims’ yard through a hole in the fence. The dogs then attacked the man, where he suffered a deadly dog bite injury. The dogs then turned on the first victim’s mother, leaving her seriously injured. The incident leaves many citizens wondering who is liable in the event of a dog attack. The California personal injury attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers explain the owner of the animal is often held responsible for a dog bite injury under California’s strict dog bite laws. The state’s policies explain that a dog owner can be held liable for damages if their animal bites someone, even if it’s the first time the canine has displayed aggressive behavior. Furthermore, some cities may required dog owners to have insurance coverage through their homeowner’s policy. If the dog attacks while being watched by a pet sitter, that individual may be held liable for damages if negligence can be shown. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we understand how devastating dog bites and attacks can be. We want to send our condolences to the family of the man who was killed in the recent attack. We would also like to wish the mother a speedy and full recovery from her injuries.