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Hayward
Dog Bite Attorney
Hayward Dog Bite Attorney
Dogs can be very affectionate pets. Unfortunately, they can also be very dangerous, causing severe lacerations, broken bones, and injury to the face and other body parts that can necessitate multiple plastic surgeries. In many cases, a dog attack occurs because the dog believes its territory is being invaded or it feels threatened. In others, however, there is no clear reason other than possibly the nature of the breed.
If you have been bitten or attacked by a dog, you need the assistance of an attorney that knows local dog attack ordinances, as they apply to your case. For a free consultation with a Hayward dog bite lawyer, call (510) 342-5780, or complete the contact form on this page. We promise that a member of our Dog Bite Legal Team will respond to your request with 24 hours.
California Dog Bite Laws
The laws in this state governing dog bites are complicated. California uses a strict liabilitystandard for dog bite claims. Strict liability dictates that if the dog bites someone either off the defendants’ property, or after the defendant has granted permission onto the land, the owner is liable for any injuries.
If you are injured by a dog without being bitten, however, such as by being knocked down, the rules of negligence prevail. This means that you must prove that the owner owed a duty of care, and has breached the duty, resulting in injury. There are exceptions to these two rules, however. For instance, if the dog bite is the result of an individual trespassing or taunting the dog, the victim does not have grounds for a claim. Also, if an individual other than the owner has possession at the time of the injury attack, the negligence rule applies unless it can be shown that this person had knowledge that the dog had a history of biting people.
Dog Bite Statistics
- Never go near or play with an unfamiliar dog.
- If the dog approaches, do not scream or run. Instead, stand motionless, and if it attacks, roll up into a ball.
- If the child sees a dog whose behavior is erratic, or that does not seem to belong in the neighborhood, tell an adult right away.
- Never make eye contact with the dog, for it might consider this an act of aggression.
- Never go near a dog with puppies, or a dog that is eating or sleeping.
- If a child is bitten, tell an adult right away.
City of Hayward Dog Ordinances
Hayward City Ordinances require anyone who has charge, control, custody or possession of a dog that has bitten another person to contact the Chief of Police immediately (Section 4-4.15). A hearing may be held to determine whether the dog is dangerous, and if so, may be deemed a public nuisance (4-4.51-55). The result of such a hearing may result in the confinement, muzzling, leashing, fencing or destruction of the dog in question.
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