Under California law, a dog owner is responsible when their dog attacks or bites another person including children. Sometimes people refer to this as dog bite human law. Dog bite law in California allows for multiple causes of action also known as theories of liability or basically the grounds for suing the dog owner.
California Dog Bite Law
A good place to start is California dog bite statute Civil Code Section 3342. You can also look at California jury instruction (CACI) 463 which details the requirements for proving that cause of action.
The law holds people who own dogs responsible for a dog bite or attack, no matter how carefully they guard or restrain their dogs. In order to prove the claim, you have to show that the defendant owned a dog. That the dog bit the victim while he or she was in a public place or lawfully on a private property. The victim was harmed. And the defendant dog owner was a substantial factor in causing harm to the victim. Of course this gets into issues about who owns the dog which will be discussed in another post.
Other Grounds to Sue
I usually include negligence. That basically says that the dog owner has a duty to control his dog and prevent harm to other people. The dog owner breached that duty by allowing their dog to lose control and bite somebody.
Another variation is negligence per se, which is based on a violation of a leash law – which goes hand in hand with dog bite law. Many times dog bites occur because the dog is outside without a leash in violation of the leash law. I have found that most municipalities in California have a leash law. It’s fairly easy to find online. When that occurs and there’s a violation, you can argue a cause of action called negligence per se, which basically states that they’re automatically negligent for violating the law.
Another cause of action is called strict liability for injury caused by a domestic animal with dangerous propensities. You can find the language for that in the California jury instruction (CACI) 462. For that theory, you have to show that the defendant owned, kept or controlled an animal that had dangerous propensities including a dog. You have to prove that the animal or dog had an unusually dangerous nature or tendency. You have to prove that the defendant knew or should have known of that animal’s dangerous nature or tendency. You have to still prove that the victim was harmed. And you have to also prove that the animal’s unusually dangerous nature or tendency was a substantial factor in causing harm to the victim. Usually you can prove an unusually dangerous nature or tendency by showing that the type of breed of dog is known to attack people.
Differences in Dog Bite Law versus Dangerous Animal Law
So the difference between these two theories is that under the dog bite statute it’s limited to dogs. If a dog bites someone, the dog owner is liable no matter what. You don’t have to prove that the dog is dangerous. However you can also include the other causes of action just to be thorough.
California Dog Leash Law
Another grounds that you can sue for is violation of leash law. Nearly every municipality has a leash law that requires a dog to be on the leash when in public places. If the dog owner fails to have a leash their dog during the attack, that is grounds for a separate “theory of liability” or reason to sue the dog owner.
When there is a violation of the leash law, it is call “negligence per se” which is like saying automatic negligence. The only issue then is what injuries the dog caused.
In the City of Los Angeles the leash law is Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 53.06 “No person owning or having possession, charge, custody or control of any animal, except cats which are not in heat or season, shall cause, permit or allow the animal to stray, run, or in any manner to be at large in or upon any public street, sidewalk or park, except as otherwise expressly provided in section 63.44 of this Code, or in the bed of the Los Angeles River or upon any unenclosed lot or land.”
In the County of Los Angeles, Section 10.32.010 states that: “A dog must be restrained on a substantial leash not exceeding six feet in length by a person capable of controlling the dog, while on public property or common areas of private property. An owner or custodian of a dog may allow the dog to be unrestrained on private property with the owner’s or lessor’s consent.”
In San Francisco under Section 41.12 of the Municipal Code, dogs are not supposed to “run at large” in public places. Section 41 defines at large as “At large” shall mean any dog off the premises of its owners or guardians and not under restraint by a leash, rope or chain of not more than eight (8) feet in length, and any other animal not under physical restraint.”
In Bakersfield, pursuant to Kern County Code Section 7.08.150, “It is unlawful for the owner of any dog to allow it to be on the private property of another person or on public property without the consent of the person owning, occupying or controlling the property. Animals on the property of another person with the consent of the person in charge of the property shall be under such restraint as is necessary to protect persons and other animals from injury and to protect the property from damage. In particular, dogs shall be restrained by a leash and under the immediate control of the handler or confined within an enclosed pen when on public property, unless the officer in charge of the property has consented to the owner exercising another form of restraint.”
In San Diego County, see Code section 62.669, “A dog’s owner or custodian or a person who has control of a dog shall prevent the dog from being at large…” Under section 62.602, “at large” means “Being unrestrained by a leash on private property open to the public or on public property, unless a law or regulation expressly allows an animal to be unrestrained on the property. If a leash is not being held in the hand of a person capable of controlling the animal or a person is not actually controlling an animal attached to the leash.”
In Fresno, Section 10-308 states, “(a) No person owning, or having possession, charge, custody or control of, any animal, except a cat, shall cause, permit, or allow, such animal to be at large.” Section 10-301 states: “The term “at large” shall mean an animal in or upon any public street, public alley or other public place or in or upon an unenclosed lot or premises, unless the animal is securely confined to the lot or premises by a suitably strong leash or is securely and continuously held by the owner or custodian of such animal by a strong leash suitable for maintaining control of the animal, or the animal is confined within an automobile.”
In San Jose, Ordinance 7.40.040 states “The dog owner/guardian or person with a right to control a dog must keep the dog under direct physical restraint by means of a leash not to exceed six feet in length when the dog is on any public street, public sidewalk, other public place, event on public property, or at any private place or property or common area of any planned development cluster, townhouse, or on any condominium project without the consent of the owner or person in control thereof.”
You can usually find it by searching for your city and leash law. These codes and ordinances are always changing and may have changed since the publishing of this article. Always double check the current state of the law.
Strict Liability – Who Owns the Dog
A common issue that comes up in “strict liability” dog attack cases is who owns the dog. When the dog owner finds out at they are responsible for the injuries they usually try to claim that it wasn’t their dog or they were just watching it for someone else.
Whether someone is an owner versus just a keeper of a dog is a factual question. That means you need to look at the evidence to see what proof there is of ownership. Where did the dog sleep? Who walked the dog? Who fed the dog?
If the ownership of the dog is disputed, a jury may have to decide.
Dog Attack With No Dog Bite
Another common issue is whether the dog owner is liable if the dog didn’t actually bite you. For example if the dog knocks you down or yanks on your clothes, causing an injury. In one case we handled, the postal workers bag was yanked by the dog causing a rotator cuff tear. Sometimes there is a dog attack with no bite but it can be very traumatic.
In another case, the dog was muzzled and knocked a woman down breaking her hip. There was no bite. The dog owner was still held liable.
So yes, the dog owner can still be liable even if the dog did not actually bite you.
Negligence – Proving Viciousness
Proving Dog Viciousness
Even if you cannot prove the dog owner was in fact the owner of the dog or they are disputing it, you can still sue for negligence based on the fact that it was a dangerous dog.
For example, some breeds of dogs are known to be dangerous like pit bulls. Other times, the dog owner knows the dog is dangerous because the dog has attacked people in the past.
Like the ownership issue, this can come down to a question of evidence. What facts are known that prove the dog owner or keeper knew the dog had a vicious tendency? Did it attack people before? Did it attack animals? Was it a breed known for attacking people? Was there a warning from where the dog was obtained?
Lost Control of Dog Leash – Negligence
Another argument you can make with negligence is if the dog owner loses control of the leash. One could argue that it is a form of separate negligence because whoever was in control of the dog didn’t take necessary precautions to prevent the dog from attacking people. If the person had held onto the leash better or didn’t try to control a huge dog the injury would not have happened.
Many of the leash statutes mentioned above have a requirement that not only is the dog restrained but also “by a person capable of controlling the dog.” What is the point of a leash law if the dog is on a leash but gets free? That is why the dog was be in control by someone capable.
Dog Bite or Dog Attack to Child
Unfortunately, children seem to be a common victim of dog attacks. The child often just wants to pet the dog and gets bit. These are sad cases because the child can be left with a permanent scar including on their face.
It is important for child dog attack victims to first get medical treatment including whatever is necessary to treat the physical wounds. The child should also get psychological treatment because they may have trauma and nightmares from the attack. It could make the child very afraid to be in public or around other dogs.
Also, in California, settlements regarding a child dog attack victim need to be approved by the court. The court wants to make sure that the parents or lawyers are properly handling any settlement funds that are meant for the child. The process of getting it approved can be tricky and has many requirements. It is a good idea to hire a lawyer to handle injuries involving children.
Dog Bite or Dog Attack to Cyclist
Another common injury is when the dog attacks a cyclist. Usually, the dog escapes a yard or the dog owner loses control of their dog during a walk. The dog runs over to the cyclist and knocks him or her down. There might not be any actual bite but significant injuries from the knock to the ground.
The dog owner is still liable for failing to control their dog. It is similar to what is discussed above. Often there is a violation of leash law. The dog owner is strictly liable for the attack. The dog owner is also negligent for allowing the dog to escape the yard.
Dog Bite Verdicts And Settlements
Dog bite and dog attack settlements and verdicts vary widely. It is recommended you consult with an attorney to get an estimate of the settlement value or verdict value of your case. It is primarily determined by the extent of injuries and damages you suffer.
In 2017, a three year old girl was bit by a German Shepard. She was bit on her thigh and sustained serious injuries. The settled was $117,000.
In 2018, a case settled where the victim was bit on the arm requiring ten stitches. The settlement was for $103,000.
In 2016, a 56 year old contractor was attacked by dogs and suffered wounds on his arms and hands. The total jury verdict was $663,026.
How long do dog bite cases take?
Dog bite cases can take anywhere from a few months to 2 years or more to resolve. It all depends on the extent of the injuries and what is at issue in the case. For example:
Is the defendant disputing they owned the dog?
Is there a dispute that the dog was dangerous?
Is there a dispute that you were hurt?
Is there a dispute about how much you were hurt?
If there are a lot of disputes like this it could take longer while the attorneys do investigation and argue about it.
Usually it takes at least a few months at a minimum because you want to know the extent of your injuries. Maybe if your injuries were very minor it wouldn’t take that long.
Do Dog Bite Cases Always Go To Trial?
No. Many of the dog bite and dog attack cases that I’ve handled settle before trial. It is hard to say when it will settle though. Most of the time, if an insurance company is involved, they will want to take the dog bite victim’s deposition and have them undergo a medical exam before they pay higher settlement amounts. A lawyer should prep the victim for the deposition and medical exam. The lawyer would attend the victim’s deposition.
Many cases settle at mediation before trial. The mediation is an informal meeting where a mediator talks to both side to facilitate a settlement. Again an attorney would accompany you and negotiate on your behalf. Mediations are effective at getting cases resolved before trial.
What will happen to the dog after a dog attack or dog bite
A lot of victims want to know what will happen to the dog after a claim or lawsuit is filed. Some victims want the dog put to sleep or euthanized. Other victims want to make sure the dog is not harmed because they feel the dog is not at fault, rather it was more the fault of the owner.
In civil cases, like a dog bite lawsuit, the main remedy is money to compensate for bills, lost wages, pain and suffering etc. The dog attack lawsuit is against the dog owner. The lawsuit typically does not ask that the be put to sleep or in the alternative that no harm come to the dog.
Ultimately it is the decision of animal control what happens with the dog. In my experience, animal control has procedures in place where they determine what to do with the dog. They will factor in things like how vicious is the dog and prior attacks.
Using Animal Control Records in Dog Bite Cases
Animal control records can be very helpful in a dog attack case. They can provide information about licensing and prior dog attacks.
One of our procedures is to request animal control records right away which can be done through a public records request.
They could even potentially be used at trial and could be helpful in taking the deposition of the dog owner. Using animal control records, you can learn a lot, early in the case, about the dog that will help with investigation.
Damages in Dog Bite or Dog Attack Cases- Medical Bills, Etc
When you’ve been attacked by a dog you are entitled to “damages” which include:
- past medical bills
- future medical bills
- past lost earnings
- future lost earnings
- past pain, suffering and emotional distress
- future pain, suffering and emotional distress
- Damages related to a loved one dying from a dog attack are different. They include loss of love, companionship, comfort,care, assistance, protection, affection, society, and moral support. What does this mean and how is that computed? Whole books have been written about the topic. It is best to speak to an attorney for how it would apply to your case.
- Other damages maybe applicable and it is best to speak to an attorney.
Lost Wages After a Dog Bite
If a dog attack Dog Bite causes injuries that prevent you from doing your job you can claim lost earnings and future lost earnings. If you need to retrain because of the injuries or do a different type of job you can be compensated for something known as future lost earning capacity.
For example if a dog attacks a mail worker or postal carrier and as a result of the injuries they’re no longer able to deliver mail or deliver packages, the dog owner is responsible for that person’s lost wages. This could even be the case with emotional injuries. For example if the dog attack leaves the postal carrier with severe PTSD and they can no longer deliver mail, they will have to be retrained. In order to prove this they will need to be examined by a trained psychologist or psychiatrist who can confirm the extent of the PTSD.
Sometimes it’s just a matter of some past lost wages. For example if you were attacked and suffered injuries and lost a month from work you would be entitled to lost wages for that one month.
The best practice is to get a doctors note confirming that you’re unable to do your job or confirming that you need to take time off work. That way there’s medical evidence confirming that you cannot work because of your injuries.
Provoking the Dog – Comparative Fault for Dog Bites
It is a common defense by dog owners that the victim did something to cause or contribute to the dog bite. For example if they may claim that the victim was taunting the dog. They may also claim that the victim put their face too close to the dog’s face. This also comes up when a child is bitten by a dog. The dog owner will somehow blame the child for scaring or spooking the dog.
We’ve handled many cases where this defense was made. Usually the best way to handle it is to take the deposition of a dog owner and find out all facts that form the basis for their opinion that the victim provoke the dog.
Even if the victim did provoke the dog in someway, it is usually not a complete defense. The dog owner is still responsible for the actions of their dog. Ultimately the determination has to be made on a case by case basis. If you consult with a lawyer on this issue they want to know all the facts so they can properly advise you. For example the lawyer would want to know if the victim was doing something malicious to the dog like beating or kicking it. In that case, a jury may be less sympathetic and may not provide any sort of monetary value or provide any sort of compensation. On the other hand if the victim was petting the dog with their face close to the dog and it attacked, that’ll likely not cause any major change and the dog owner will be at fault.
Aggravating a preexisting injury in dog attack
Sometimes a dog attack or dog bite can aggravate a pre-existing injury that the victim may have. For example if the victim had pre-existing back pain and a dog attacked, knocking the victim down causing a severe aggravation of that back pain. As a result of that aggravation that victim required new and more extensive treatment that they did not need before. All of this would be included in the damages that the victim could recover in a dog attack.
The dog owner will likely try to say it’s all related to pre-existing medical condition and that’s why it’s so important to get all your past medical records and compare and contrast them before and after the dog incident.
Emotional injuries and PTSD for dog attacks
A dog bite or a dog attack may leave physical injuries but the lasting or more severe injuries are emotional, psychological or psychiatric injuries. This could include posttraumatic stress disorder also known as PTSD. It is common for dog attack victims to suffer from anxiety and nightmares following a dog attack. It can affect their mood and cause anxiety and nightmares. It can also affect their relationships with other people. Severe emotional distress can cause depression and affect all areas of life.
The dog owner will be held responsible for all damages including emotional distress, psychological, and psychiatric injuries that are caused by a dog attack. For this reason it’s important that a dog attack victim be evaluated by a trained mental health professional to diagnose, evaluate, and treat any psychological injuries that they may have as a result of the attack.
Who pays for the injuries? Insurance for dog attacks
In some cases the dog owner may have homeowner’s or renter’s insurance that would provide coverage for the injuries and damages that the victim sustained in the attack.
Sometimes the dog owner might not want to disclose that information. That’s why it’s important to have a lawyer reach out to the dog owner and ascertain whether their is insurance early on. It will affect the strategies used in the case. The lawyer should also investigate the assets of the dog owner. In other words, if the dog owner does not have insurance, but they have assets and they are not controlling a vicious dog, they should be held personally responsible for the attacks of that dog.
Dog Bite or Dog Attack While Working / Workers Compensation
Sometimes mail carriers, postal workers, UPS, delivery drivers, FedEx, or other food delivery people may be attacked by a dog while working. If that is the case, they may qualify for Worker’s Compensation. Notably, some of the newer delivery services like Uber eats may not have workers compensation. It is best to talk with an attorney about that.
Worker’s Compensation remedies vary but usually provides medical treatment. Unfortunately, I have found that workers compensation can be slow in providing necessary medical treatment and slow in providing necessary payments.
Sometimes the worker can file a lawsuit directly against the dog owner – separate from Worker’s Compensation. There are rules about what needs to be reimbursed to Worker’s Compensation but it can have a better result for the worker including more money to pay for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. It could also result in a faster result then Worker’s Compensation.
It’s always recommended that the worker consult with an attorney separate from a Worker’s Compensation attorney like a third-party Dog Bite attorney in order to determine whether this option makes sense.
Most attorneys like our office will provide a free consultation so there’s no downside to getting a consultation.
Rabies or Tetanus after Bog Bite
Many people are concerned about rabies or tetanus after a dog attack or dog bite. For this reason is very important that you immediately seek medical attention including going to an urgent care or ER.
A medical professional is in the best position to determine whether next steps need to be taken in terms of of rabies or tetanus treatment.
If the victim ends up with rabies or tetanus as a result of the Dog Bite, it be part of the lawsuit and damages against the dog owner. This is another reason why it’s important to get medical treatment and have that treatment documented in medical records.
Bitten while Breaking up a Dog Fight
Often times a victim of a dog attack or dog bite may be attempting to break up a fight between dogs. If the defendant dog owner loses control of their dog and that dog attacks the victim’s dog, the victim may recover for injuries while trying to break up the dog fight. This again depends on the facts of the case and it is a case by case analysis. It is definitely recommended you consult with a dog attack attorney like our office if you were injured trying to break up a dog fight. We’ve been successful in handling these cases in the past and it depends on what happened.
Dog Bite Doesn’t Break The Skin / Dog Attack Wound or Bleeding
Sometimes the dog bite doesn’t actually break the skin or cause a wound or bleeding. Instead the dog bite can cause a bruise or some other injury. In that case, the victim is still entitled to compensation. It is important to be evaluated by a medical professional. Go to an urgent care or ER to determine the extent of the injury. Sometimes a dog bite crush injury can be just as painful and causes different and long lasting injuries including nerve injuries. A medical health professional is in the best position to evaluate, diagnose, and treat such injuries. Regardless, the victim would be able to recover from the dog on her for such injuries
What Happens in a Dog Bite Case
Dog Bite cases usually begin with investigation after the victim hires a lawyer. The lawyer will reach out to the dog owner, contact the police for a report, contact animal control for any reports, and contact witnesses. The lawyer may also contact the dog owner’s neighbors to find out if the dog had displayed any vicious tendencies in the neighborhood in the past.
Meanwhile the victim would be getting medical treatment so that the records can be evaluated to determine what is a fair settlement value given what a jury may award.
Once there is a good understanding of the medical injuries, future treatment needed, and other damages, the lawyer may start negotiating with the dog owner or the dog owners insurance company. If it cannot be resolved at that point the the lawyer would file a lawsuit directly against the dog owner.
After the lawsuit is filed both sides conduct discovery basically asking each other questions. If still cannot resolved they would go to trial.
This is a simplified timeline of a dog attack case but generally they follow this pattern. Sometimes these cases can be resolved within a few months and some take much longer. Contact our office for a free consultation to get an estimate of what would happen in your case.
Do I Need a Lawyer For a Dog Bite Case
If you have injuries it’s always a good idea to consult with a lawyer. There are many traps and pitfalls that a lawyer can help you avoid. A good lawyer will make sure that you are getting the maximum amount available to you.
Sometimes the victim may try to negotiate or handle a case on their own. This is like trying to fix your car on your own or trying to do surgery on yourself. It’s possible, but a mechanic or a doctor who spent years in education and training would probably the best option in that scenario.
Likewise in our office we have a checklist for each phase of the case from after sign up through trial. We also have years of experience and education in order to make sure that you get the maximum amount available to you. At a minimum you want to get a consultation because most lawyers including our office will provide a consultation for free.
Are Dog Bite Reports Public Record
Generally animal control records which keep reports of dog attacks and dog bites are public record. You can request them through a proper public records request to the appropriate animal control office.
Are Dog Bites Dangerous
Yes. Dog bites and dog attacks can cause very serious injuries and even death. Dog bites can cause infections and lead to other serious injuries. A dog attack can lead to broken bones and serious aggravation of underlying health conditions. A dog attack can also cause PTSD known as post traumatic distress disorder.
Injuries from a dog bite or dog attack can cause not just pain and suffering but disruption to life and activities of daily living. A major dog attack can cause serious injuries that affect mobility. I’ve handled cases where there were also visions injuries from a dog attack.
So yes, dog bites can be very dangerous.
Dog Bite Infections
A dog bite can absolutely cause an infection and it can be serious if it’s not treated properly. For this reason it’s imperative that you get evaluated by a medical professional. If the dog bite gets infected that could also be part of the damages that you suffer in your case against the dog owner. From a legal perspective you want to document the infection including taking note of how long it lasts and photographing any evidence of the infection including redness.
A dog bite infection can cause long lasting pain that lasts months or other related symptoms including fever and chills. If that’s the case you really need to be evaluated by a medical professional.
Common dog bite injuries – ear, face, arm, hand, leg, knee, lip, nose, ear, bruise, yellow skin, discharge
A dog bite can happen to any part of the body. Common dog bite injuries are the face, arms, hands and legs including any body part from the list above. It’s also common to see bruising, yellowing of the skin, discoloration of the skin, and if you see some sort of discharge that could be evidence of something more serious and you want to get that evaluated right away.
When there is a dog bite to the face the dog owner will often try to say that is evidence that you put your face to close the dog’s face and scared it or provoke the Dog bite. However we’ve been successful in handling these cases and it comes down to a case by case analysis.
Swelling is also a common symptom following a dogbite. For example the swelling of a hand could be in an indication of a crash type injury or bruising confusion. Again definitely get a evaluated by medical professional.
A dog bite near the eye is particularly concerning because it can cause vision loss or some general disruption to vision. It’s important to be seen by a qualified medical professional like an eye doctor or ophthalmologist. A dog also cause damage to the area around the eye including the eyelid which can cause other problems including tear duct injuries it etc.
Another particularly painful dog bite is to a joint. For example a finger joint or an elbow joint. In one case the dog yanked on a mail carrier’s arm causing a rotator cuff tear.
It’s important if you’re having ongoing joint pain to be us to be evaluated by a medical professional. Sometimes you need to have an MRI or at least an x-ray done to further evaluate the injury. A medical professional would have to diagnose and recommend treatment for any sort of joint injury caused by dog bite. The injury to the joint would also be included in the damages against in the lawsuit against the dog owner.
Where to report dog bites
The best place to file a dog bite report is your local animal control. They usually have a form that you can fill out. Based on your report, they will usually conduct an investigation. You should also report the dog bite to your medical providers. Sometime they have reporting requirements also.
When Dog Bites You – Next Steps
After a dog bite, victims often want to know what to do next. When a dog bites you, the first thing you should do is get the name and contact information for the dog owner. Seek out medical treatment including to to an urgent care or an ER and have a medical professional evaluate, diagnose, and treat your injuries. It’s also recommended that you document your injuries by taking pictures. Depending on the extent of the injury you should probably also consult with a lawyer that handles dog bites like our office.
After a Dog Bite – Will Dog Bite Again
It’s hard to say whether or if a dog bites someone if it will bite again. It depends on the situation and the type of dog. As well as the history of the dogs behavior. In some cases we’ve hired a canine expert who testifies about the nature and behavior of the dog and whether the dog is vicious.
Dog Bite For No Reason
Sometimes it seems like the dog bites for no reason. One minute the victim is petting the dog. The next minute the dog reaches up and snaps at the victim’s face causing a serious injury. In California the dog owner is responsible for the actions of the dog even if it seems like the dog bites the victim for no reason. under California‘s Dog Bite statute the dog owner is responsible even if the dog did not show vicious behavior before hand.
Dog Bite Toddler or Child
Unfortunately children and in particular toddlers are common victims of dog bites and dog attacks. The unassuming victim and will reach out to pet a dog or put their face close to the dog’s face. The dog then unexpectedly snaps at the child and bites a hand, arm, face, or other body part.
Children and toddlers, through their parent or guardian, may sue the dog owner. A parent or guardian can hire an attorney on the child’s behalf. The attorney will work on the child’s behalf to obtain a settlement for the damages noted above including past and future pain and suffering, past and future medical bills etc. This could include reconstructive surgery for a particularly severe bite. As part of the settlement the money would be put into a blocked account so that it could not be used for an improper purpose and the whole thing is overseen by a judge.
Dog Bite Can You Sue?
Yes you can sue after a dog bite for your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages etc. The lawsuit is usually filed in state court directly against the homeowner. Sometimes the homeowner has an insurance company that would cover the damages. The insurance company may hire attorneys to represent the dog owner. That is why it is a good idea you hire an attorney also.
Dog Bit Quarantine
Sometimes after a dog attack, animal control will order the dog to be quarantined. The procedures and policies are specific to animal control. This is usually done for the safety of the public and to ensure that the dog is not vicious or has some medical condition like rabies that can cause more serious injuries.