Orange County Dog Attack Injures Woman

A woman was seriously injured in a dog bite incident in the back yard of a Laguna Niguel home, The Orange County Register reports. The dog attack occurred on December 16, 2009, when a neighbor called police after hearing the victim's cries for help. She was being mauled by a Shiba Inu. Intervention by a police officer, who shot and killed the dog, apparently saved this woman's life. Officials are saying she is lucky to be alive although she has suffered significant bite injuries that will need additional surgery. Authorities are also saying that the dog was "vicious," but do not mention whether this particular dog had attacked or injured other people in this Orange County neighborhood.

I'm relieved to hear that this injured victim is recuperating from serious dog bite injuries. I'm also glad that the Orange County Sheriff's deputy showed up when he did. Otherwise, this could have been a potentially fatal dog attack. I wish this injured victim the very best for a quick and complete recovery. Please keep her in your prayers.

Questions about This Incident

This report does not clearly state whether the victim was in her home or visiting a friend or acquaintance at the time of the dog attack. The other question here is: Who is the dog's owner? That is indeed an important question to answer because under California's strict liability statute, the dog owner can be held responsible for any injury caused by his or her pet. This is the case irrespective of whether the owner knew about the dog's prior viciousness. So in this case, whether or not this Shiba Inu was a dangerous dog, the owner could still be held liable.

Compensation in Dog Bite Cases

Dog bite victims usually face a number of significant expenses. This is especially true if the injuries are severe. Most dog bite victims end up needing plastic surgery to fix the scars and bite marks from the attack. Medical and hospitalization expenses can also add up pretty quickly. A number of dog bite victims are also mentally and emotionally traumatized and require psychological counseling. It is absolutely unfair for a victim to have to bear these expenses when he or she is the innocent party. It is the negligent dog owner who should pay for the actions of his or her pet. An experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer can better counsel dog bite victims about how to pursue their legal rights. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free and comprehensive consultation to injured victims and their families.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.