The German Shepherd is a breed of sheep herding dog that was developed sometime around 1900. Due to the the breed’s strength and intelligence, people used them as like guard dogs, disability assistance and police work, including search and rescue. German Shepherds are large dogs that can stand as high as 26 inches at the shoulder and weigh up to 100 pounds. They have a highly developed sense of smell, and the breed is eager to learn and work. They’re also highly protective of their territory and families. The American Kennel Club characterizes German Shepherds as intelligent, loyal, confident, courageous and steady. The breed is quite popular in the United States. A German Shepherd’s bite can cause gruesome damage though. These dogs can pierce your skin,, nerves, muscles, tear tendons and crush bones.
Why Some German Shepherds Attack
A minority of German Shepherd owners are either inexperienced in owning a large dog that can cause severe damage to a human or other dog, or they’re irresponsible in training such a dog. Some non-professional owners even train their German Shepherds on when and how to attack. A person’s nervousness over being around a German Shepherd isn’t an overreaction at all. These dogs have caused severe and permanent injuries and even killed people. If an intruder encounters a German Shepherd, that individual is likely to be attacked. Remember that German Shepherds have highly protective and dominant personalities. Most of them are just big babies when with their family or friends who they know though.
German Shepherd Attacks
German Shepherds are unfortunately third in the United States in the numbers of breed attacks behind Pit Bulls and Rottweilers. Two German Shepherds attacked a man from Detroit. They ran out from their home after he left his home to get into his pickup truck to go to work. There was no warning. He was a licensed concealed carry permit holder, and he shot one of the dogs while the other retreated. In New Mexico, a 56-year-old man died after being attacked by his neighbor’s two German Shepherds. The man bled to death before he could be saved at a local hospital. In California, three German Shepherd guard dogs killed a 5-year-old boy. They attacked him after the boy went to chase his ball in the dogs’ yard.
Breed Specific Laws Against German Shepherds in California
Unlike owning or keeping Pit Bulls, there are no county or municipal ordinances in California that specifically target German Shepherds. Under state law, the owner of a potentially dangerous or vicious dog must keep that dog inside of a home or a fenced yard. The dog needs to be on a leash when walking in public. Take notice though that with dog bites, California is a strict liability state. If a German Shepherd bites somebody, the owner will be held liable for injuries and damages. Even if it is the first time the dog bit someone. There are very few defenses to this strict liability law. In a criminal law context, the owner of a dog that is known to have vicious propensities can be charged with either a misdemeanor or a felony.
Contact a California Dog Bite Lawyer
The power in a German Shepherd’s jaws and teeth is enormous. Given the breed’s popularity, the fact that German Shepherd bite statistics are so high isn’t surprising. If a German Shepherd attacked you or a family member, contact the California dog bite lawyers at Maison Law as soon as you can for a free consultation and case review. We’re going to listen to you carefully about how the attack happened and what it has done to you or your loved one. Then, we’ll advise you on all of your legal options. Upon being formally retained, our goal will be to obtain the highest settlement or award that you or your family member deserve. Contact us right away about any German Shepherd attack anywhere in California.
