Hollister Dog Bite Attorneys

More than 48 million households in the United States own a dog, making dogs the most common pet in the country. In part, dogs are so popular because they often make loyal, loving pets. However, that is not the case for all breeds and all individual dogs. Each day, about 1,000 people receive emergency treatment for dog bite injuries.

At Silva Injury Law, Inc., our Hollister dog bite attorneys have extensive experience helping victims of vicious animal attacks recover compensation. We recognize the challenges you face in the wake of a dog bite and do everything we can to make the recovery process as streamlined as possible. Call a Hollister dog bite lawyer right away.

What Are The Most Dangerous Breeds Of Dogs?

While most dogs make great pets, certain animals are much more likely to attack. According to a 13-year study reviewing dog bite data between 2005 and 2017, the following breeds were the most dangerous, as measured by the number of fatal dog bite attacks:

  • Pitbull terriers: 284 fatalities (65.6 percent of all fatal dog bites)
  • Rottweilers: 45 fatalities (10.4 percent of all fatal dog bites)
  • German shepherds: 20 fatalities (4.6 percent of all fatal dog bites)
  • American bulldogs: 15 fatalities (3.5 percent of all fatal dog bites)
  • Mastiffs: 14 fatalities (3.2 percent of all fatal dog bites)

Additionally, attacks by mixed-breed animals accounted for 17 fatal dog attacks, or roughly 4% of the total number of fatalities over this period.

Other dangerous breeds of dogs include:

  • Akitas
  • Alaskan Malamutes
  • American Staffordshire terriers
  • Boxers
  • Chow chows
  • Doberman pinschers
  • Great Danes
  • Perro de presa canarios

Not only are these breeds more likely to attack, but they also tend to be very vicious in their attacks. For example, some breeds specifically target vulnerable areas of the body or lock their jaws after they bite.

Of course, any breed of dog is capable of attacking a human for any reason or no reason at all. And under California law, it generally does not matter what breed of dog bit you. A dog owner may be liable for your injuries based solely on the fact that their animal attacked you. At Silva Injury Law, we can help you understand your rights and how to pursue a Hollister dog bite claim against the owner of the animal that attacked you.

Why Do Dogs Bite?

Most dogs go their entire life without ever attacking a person. However, among certain breeds, dog bites are fairly common. It is common a misconception that dogs need a reason to attack. In reality, many dog bite victims are attacked for no apparent reason. That said, dogs are more likely to attack in certain situations, including:

  • The dog is sick;
  • The dog is protecting its owner or its owner’s property;
  • The dog is protecting her puppies;
  • The dog is scared or was startled; or
  • The dog thinks it is playing.

In most dog bite cases, it doesn’t matter why a dog bites a person. The fact that an animal attacked a person is often enough to hold the animal’s owner legally responsible for the attack.

California Dog Bite Laws

Like the laws of many other states, California dog bite laws impose strict liability on animal owners in certain situations. Strict liability means that a dog bite victim does not need to prove that the animal’s owner was negligent. Under a strict liability framework, a dog owner is liable for any injuries caused by their animal if,

  • Their dog bit another person; and
  • The victim was bit while in a public place or while lawfully in a private place.

Notably, California’s strict liability dog bite laws apply only to dog bites and not other injuries caused by a dog attack. For example, if you trip and fall while running from a dangerous dog, strict liability would not apply.

In addition to the strict liability law, California also requires owners to take reasonable steps to remove any danger of a future attack if their pet bit someone in the past. Thus, once a dog attacks a human, the court may order the dog’s owner to take additional steps to protect the public.

California also has laws pertaining specifically to “dangerous dogs.” While there is no exact definition of what constitutes a dangerous dog, courts will consider the following when making this determination:

  • Has the dog forced people to defend themselves from an unprovoked attack two or more times in the past three years?
  • Did the dog bite someone in the past?
  • Has the dog killed another domestic animal two or more times in the past three years?

Owners of dogs labeled as dangerous must keep their pets in a fenced yard that will keep the animal in and children out. Alternatively, the owner can keep the dog on a secure leash controlled by a responsible adult.

Hollister Dog Bite Laws

In addition to state-wide dog bite laws, every city is free to enact laws governing how residents keep their animals. The City of Hollister has several important dog bite laws.

Leash Laws

Under Hollister Code of Ordinances § 6.08.010, dog owners must keep their animals on a leash. The only exception is if the dog is in a designated dog park.

Vicious Dog Laws

Under Hollister Code of Ordinances § 6.08.020, all dogs that are fierce, dangerous, or have vicious propensities must remain confined in a pen. Section 6.08.090 provides that a dog is assumed to be dangerous if it bites someone unless the victim was trespassing.

Multiple Dogs

Hollister prohibits animal owners from keeping more than three dogs over four months old in any building other than the owner’s residence.

Common Injuries After A Hollister Dog Bite

Dogs can cause tremendous physical and emotional injury when they attack humans. Some of the most common injuries in a Hollister dog attack include:

  • Broken bones,
  • Bruises and welts,
  • Deep cuts,
  • Nerve damage,
  • Scarring and other disfigurement, and
  • Torn ligaments.

Dog bites also frequently result in an infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in five dog bites becomes infected. The most common infections are rabies and Capnocytophaga spp. However, some dogs also carry Pasteurella, MRSA, and tetanus. If you develop any of the following symptoms after a dog bite, it is imperative you immediately seek medical treatment.

  • Blistering,
  • Confusion,
  • Diarrhea,
  • Fever,
  • Headaches,
  • Joint pain,
  • Muscle pain,
  • Redness or swelling, or
  • Vomiting.

These can be signs of a serious infection and can become life-threatening if not treated.

Contact The Hollister Dog Bite Lawyers At Silva Injury Law, Inc. For Immediate Assistance

If you or a loved one recently experienced dog bite injuries, reach out to Silva Injury Law, Inc. to discuss your options. At Silva Injury Law, Inc., our Hollister dog bite attorneys represent dog bite victims, helping them recover compensation for their injuries. We take a holistic approach to every case we handle, attentively listening to your needs before recommending any course of action.

Our experienced attorneys also handle other types of injury cases, including:

  • Auto Vehicle Accidents
  • Trucking Accidents
  • Slip and Falls
  • Wrongful Death Claim
  • Pedestrian Accidents
  • Bicycle Accidents
  • Sexual Assault
  • Motorbike Accidents
  • Drunk Driving Accidents
  • Distracted Driving Accidents
  • Nursing Home Abuse

To learn more and to schedule a free consultation, give the Hollister dog bite lawyers at Silva Injury Law, Inc. a call. You can also connect with us through our online contact form.