Bitten by a Dog and the Owner Fled? Your Next Steps
A dog bite is frightening enough when an owner does everything they’re supposed to do after a bite. But when the owner leaves the scene, you’re left with additional confusion, urgency, and unanswered questions. Who’s responsible for the bite? Was the dog vaccinated for rabies? How are you supposed to recover damages if you don’t even know who the owner is? This situation is overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate the process alone. With an Inland Empire dog bite attorney, you can fight for justice.
The team at Moga Law Firm has helped many clients in your same position. Dog owners may flee the scene after a bite, fearing forced euthanasia or the city finding out that they are behind on shots. Attorney Scot Thomas Moga has more than 30 years of legal experience, giving him both the insight and the experience needed to fight aggressively for the compensation you deserve. To find out how our dog bite law firm in California can help you, call us at 909-931-2444 now.
California’s Strict Liability Rule
California follows a strict liability rule for dog bites, per California state law. What does this mean for you? Basically, California is not a “one bite” state. Some states do not hold owners liable for dog bites unless their dog has already bitten someone. People view this as the dog essentially getting “one bite free.” But California holds owners responsible for injuries caused by their dog regardless of whether or not they were known to be aggressive.
If the owner can be identified, this law makes the process of recovering compensation fairly straightforward. The challenge in your case, though, is actually identifying the owner so they can be held accountable.
Steps to Take Immediately
While you’ll eventually want to contact a dog bite lawyer, your first priority must be your health. First, seek medical attention, even if your wounds seem minor. Clean and photograph your injury. Take photos of the location where the bite occurred, taking note of street signs or other identifying landmarks. If there are any nearby witnesses, get their contact information.
You should also call local animal control. If you live in Upland, that means contacting San Bernardino County Animal Care. They are responsible for following up on bite reports, quarantining dogs who bite, and otherwise protecting the community from dangerous animals.
Why Reporting Matters
That last part may seem unnecessary. If the owner left the scene, why bother reporting the dog bite? Animal control has access to a lot of resources that ordinary people don’t. They can attempt to locate the dog and its owner (especially if the dog is a known bite risk and has a history with the agency), verify vaccination records if they do track down the dog, and document the incident for public safety purposes.
You also don’t yet know if the owner will be found. If they are, proving that you took the appropriate steps right away can strengthen your personal injury claim.
How to Identify a Fleeing Dog Owner
Even if a dog owner leaves the scene, they can often still be identified. Your dog bite attorney may get witness statements from people who witnessed the bite, as they may have noticed traits or identifying features that you missed. They may also look into security camera footage and doorbell camera footage that may be accessible. You could also reach out to people in nearby homes or businesses to see if they recognize the dog—if the owner lives in the area, chances are good that someone knows who they are.
If the owner is found, you can seek compensation with a personal injury claim against them. If they are not found, you may need to take rabies precautions after speaking with your doctor. Your dog bite lawyer may also look into other potentially liable parties, such as a property owner that allowed the dog to roam freely.
You May Still Have Options—Contact Our California Dog Bite Law Firm to Find Out
At Moga Law Firm, we are committed to fighting for the best possible outcome for our clients. While you may not know the dog owner, we will explore every possible path to try to identify them. Get started now by calling us at 909-931-2444 or contact us online now.
Scot Thomas Moga, a dedicated attorney in San Bernardino & Riverside Counties who represents clients in the many types of personal injury, workers’ compensation and estate planning cases.
