There are leash laws in Los Angeles that require all dogs in the city to be on a leash when in public. What comes to issue is that there are dog owners who don’t obey these ordinances. It’s not only humans that are endangered by off-leash dogs. Other dogs and animals might also be in harm’s way. Section 53.06.2 of the Los Angeles City Code states as follows: “Every person, owning or having charge, care, custody or control of any dog shall keep such dog exclusively upon his own premises provided, however, that such dog may be off such premises if it be under the control of a competent person and restrained by a substantial chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length. . .” Dogs are permitted to be off-leash at an approved training area or exercise facility when accompanied by a competent person.
California’s Dog Bite Statute
Some states follow the “one free bite rule” when a dog’s owner is put on notice of a dog’s vicious predisposition after the first time that it bites a person. California doesn’t follow that rule. Like many other states. a strict liability dog bite statute was enacted with California Civil Code section 3342. It states as follows: “The owner of any dog is 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, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog of the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness” Under section 3342, a dog’s owner is liable for damages from a bite, even if the dog is leashed in compliance with section 53.06.2.
The Purpose of Leash Laws
Leash laws have been put in place to protect the heath and safety of the general public. The rationale behind such ordinances is that a dog that isn’t on a leash can become unpredictable, uncontrollable and a hazard by biting, jumping on or otherwise scaring people, especially children and the elderly.
What to do After Being Attacked and Bitten
An attack by a dog can be beyond frightening. It can be horrifying and debilitating. Try to get photos of both your wounds, bloody or torn clothing and the dog. Obtain immediate emergency room assistance and then, report the attack and bites to the Animal Control Department of the City of Los Angeles. Follow all medical instructions, and then contact our Los Angeles dog bite lawyer at Maison Law as soon as possible for a free consultation and case evaluation.
If an insurer for the dog’s owner contacts you, don’t give it any information at all, especially through a recorded statement. It will only try to use your own words against you in the future to try and devalue or even deny your claim. You can preserve and protect your rights by speaking with our Los Angeles dog bite lawyer here at Maison Law confidentially in your no-cost consultation. Upon being retained by you, we’re going to start building as solid of a case as possible in order to maximize any settlement or award that you deserve. Remember that a dog’s owner is strictly liable for damages for his or her dog’s bites in California.
Contact a Los Angeles Dog Bite Lawyer Today
If a dog bites you or a loved one to cause a serious injury, make sure your family is not left to cover the costs of the recovery. Holding a negligent dog owner responsible is vital when you want to ensure you don’t lose everything while trying to pay medical expenses.
The dog owner’s insurance company may try to get you to take some of the blame for the dog bite, but don’t fall for this “bad faith” tactic. They simply want to reduce the amount of money they’ll have to provide as you recover.
After a bite, contact an experienced Dog Bite Lawyer such as Martin Gasparian for a free and confidential case evaluation. Mr. Gasparian takes a hands-on approach to every case and works to help victims get their lives back on track as quickly as possible without the worry of financial burdens.
