Liability for Animal Attacks

Pet owners often forget that animals even though domesticated can attack other people. No matter how tame or how harmless they seem to be, animals still rely on their instinct. Even without much provocation, if an animal feels threatened it will act like an animal and it will attack.

That is why pet owners are asked to be responsible about their pet animals to ensure that animal attacks are avoided.

Since the state cannot prosecute animals, the pet owners are the one who will be filed with personal injury charges and sometimes even wrongful death suit once their pet attacks other people.

Pet owners can usually negotiate animal attack settlements with the victim before a case is filed. However, once a case is filed, all animal attack settlements should be approved by the court.

California Laws for Animal Attacks

Under California dog bite law, the pet owner is liable if his/her pet bites a person in public or inside a private property.

Most people bitten by a dog automatically win on liability unless the person bitten is proven to have ignored warning signs, such as no invitation to enter the said property or is trespassing.

An exemption to this are mailmen. They are tasked to deliver your mail so even if any signs are present, the pet owner would still be liable for the attack.

In military or police dog cases, a person bitten can only file charges if he/she is not involved in the act that compelled the use of the military or police dog. If the person annoyed, harassed or provoked the military or police dog then that person has no case.

If a pet bites another person, the owner is required to take actions in removing the danger of a bite to the said person.

If a pet has been involved in two or more animal attack incidents then the district attorney can request the court to remove the dog from the owner if it is proven that the confinement of the pet is insufficient.

Animal Attack Injuries

Animal attacks by domesticated animals are not usually fatal but is still very dangerous. It can leave deep punctures and long lacerations on the skin with their sharp teeth and claws.

The usual injuries a person can sustain are the following:

?Abrasions

?Punctures

?Lacerations

?Fractured bones

?Scars

?Rabies

Animal Attack Settlement

An animal attack settlement attorney will present all facts and evidence, expert opinion, documents pertaining to injury and other relevant information together with the demand for compensation.

The demand will also specify the estimated amount to cover the damages from the animal attack.

However, if the animal attack settlement fails, the victim and his/her attorney will file the necessary charges against the pet owner.

An animal attack settlement can still be reached even after the case is filed but it should be approved by the court since the lawsuit has already been filed.

An animal attack attorney will be of big help in preparing and negotiating your personal injury claims.