At Maison Law, we understand that a dog can be your best friend but that accidents involving these pets can also happen. In the blink of an eye, a dog bite attack can lead to immense trauma and catastrophic damages you never expected. If you are bitten by a chihuahua or another dog in California, you should be prepared to speak with one of our California dog bite lawyers about your legal options. A negligent dog owner should always be held accountable for the harm that their dog causes another person. We are here for you as you focus on your physical recovery following a bite. Please contact us today for a no-obligation case consultation that comes with no cost to you.
Do You Need a Lawyer After a Dog Bite Accident?
Many types of personal injury cases can be handled without a lawyer these days. This is due to the fact that a large percentage of accidents will end in minor injuries and property damage. However, there are some cases that require help from a lawyer if you hope for the best legal outcome.
Because dog bite attacks can lead to tremendous and lasting harm, having an attorney on your side can sometimes be beneficial. There is also a need for a lawyer if you are certain that another party is liable but you need assistance dealing with the insurance company in your claim. These types of accident claims come with a wide array of complexities that you may not be able to handle on your own. This is why you can benefit from speaking with an attorney as soon as possible after your dog bite accident.
Why Might Chihuahuas Attack?
The Chihuahua is a small dog with a big personality that can cause it to get in serious trouble. They’re from Mexico in a region that has the same name as the breed. Most Chihuahuas stand between six and nine inches at the shoulder. Larger Chihuahuas might be as high as 14 inches with long hair or short hair in a variety of colors. “Teacup” Chihuahuas are bred to be even smaller than standard Chihuahuas.
Although some owners might admire the typically spunky demeanor of a Chihuahua, growling or even snapping at humans shouldn’t be tolerated. It’s not at all cute to family or strangers. A six- pound dog shouldn’t be allowed to assert any dominating traits over humans. Like most dogs, Chihuahuas are likely to attack when a person is perceived as provocative, or invading their territory, being a threat to a family member or possibly stealing their food. If efforts at socializing the dog are made, the likelihood of a chihuahua biting a person decreases. These dogs are notorious for biting though.
Chihuahua Attacks
A Chihuahua can have a bite force of about 100 pounds per square inch. Although nowhere near that of a German Shepherd, a Chihuahua can still take off part or all of a finger, especially if a child is the bite victim and the dog gets a good grip. There are no known credible reports of Chihuahuas causing fatalities, but nonetheless, their bites can scar both humans and children, especially if the bites are to the face.
Infection
Dogs carry a wide range of bacteria in their mouths. If a bite from a Chihuahua breaks a person’s skin, the biggest risk to the victim might be infection that takes 24 hours or longer to develop. Those are most likely to be staph or strep infections. Both are serious infections that present the following symptoms:
- Joint pain and swelling
- Blisters
- Boils
- Fever
Without proper and timely medical care and treatment, these types of infections can be fatal.
Contact a Chihuahua Attack Lawyer
If you or a family member suffered one or more bites from Chihuahua, get immediate medical attention at an urgent care center or emergency room. Then contact the California dog bite lawyer at Maison Law for a free consultation and case review. You can tell us how you or your family member was attacked, and we can answer your questions. Then, we’ll advise you of your full range of legal options. If we’re retained to represent you, our job is to obtain the highest settlement or award that you deserve. Contact us right after any dog bite anywhere in California.
