According to AVMA, over 4.7 million people yearly suffer serious injuries from dog bites in the United States. If a dog bite has hurt you, please call us for a free consultation with our top-rated Anaheim dog bite lawyers.
Bisnar Chase has represented thousands of clients throughout California, and we are here to provide you relief. Our legal team has the expertise and resources to handle complex dog bite claims. We’ve recovered hundreds of millions for our clients with a 99% success rate. There is no fee if we don’t win your case.
While many attorneys may turn down complex cases, we take them on. Call 949-203-3814 for a free consultation with no obligations.
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Anaheim Dog Bite Attorneys
If You Have Been Bitten by a Dog in Orange County
Contact a qualified Anaheim personal injury lawyer after your dog bite injury as soon as possible. Taking photos and recording details after the attack will further help your attorney. This information will be used to file a dog-bite lawsuit against the canine owner.
Be sure to gather all the evidence you have, including witness statements. It can hurt the case, so do not indulge in conversations with the insurance companies or the other side without consulting your attorney.
Do not provide personal or financial information to anyone other than your legal team, and do not sign anything. Your lawyer will guide you throughout the process to ensure you receive maximum compensation. Call our Anaheim dog bite injury lawyers for a free evaluation. We can give you the legal advice to pursue your right to compensation. Call 949-203-3814 today.
Treatment after Being Bitten by a Dog
After surviving a dog bite, the first step is to move to a safe location away from the dog.
It is best to seek medical attention immediately, especially if the dog has punctured or torn the skin. It is also strongly advised that you speak with the dog owner to learn more about the dog’s rabies immunization status.
Even if the injury after the dog bite does not look severe, it is still recommended that you see a doctor. Although there may not seem to be any injury on the skin’s surface, the tissue under the skin could be damaged.
Quick actions to treat a dog bite injury
- – seek medical attention immediately
- – wash the wound with soap and water
- – apply pressure to the wound
- – ice the wound
- – keep the wound clean and dry
Infection From Dog Bites
A dog bite infection can be a serious medical condition, so it’s essential to be aware of the symptoms and seek treatment as soon as possible. The most common symptom of a dog bite infection is redness and swelling at the bite site.
Other symptoms can include fever, pain, and drainage from the wound. If you or your child thinks you or your child has a dog bite infection, it’s essential to see a doctor right away. The doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection.
Surgery may sometimes be necessary to drain the wound or remove damaged tissue. With prompt treatment, most dog bite infections can be successfully treated.
The medical expenses after the dog bite can be expensive. Someone else’s negligence shouldn’t force you to bear the financial burden. Contact us, and one of our dog attack attorneys will fight for the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Dog Bite Supportive Therapy
Dogs are often seen as man’s best friend. But sometimes, even the best of friends can have a falling out. Dog bites are a serious problem, and they can happen to anyone. That’s why supportive therapy for dog bites is so important.
This type of therapy can help people who a dog has bitten to recover emotionally and mentally from the experience. It can also help to prevent future dog bites from happening and how to be proactive to avoid future canine attacks.
Dog bite supportive therapy usually involves a combination of counseling and education. Counselors help people deal with the emotional trauma of being bitten. They also teach people about dog body language and how to interact with dogs safely.
This therapy can be extremely helpful for people whose dogs have bitten them. It can help them recover emotionally and mentally, and it can also help prevent future dog bites.
Dangerous Dogs and Quarantine Rules
Potentially dangerous dogs can pose a serious risk to the safety of people and other animals. Depending on the state, the legal definition of a potentially dangerous dog may include any dog that has caused bites, injuries, or death to either a human or a domestic animal.
Owners of potentially dangerous dogs may be subject to certain restrictions, such as leash and muzzle requirements, and may also be responsible for any damages caused by their dog.
Rules for Quarantining Dangerous Dogs?
In Orange County, California, the rules for quarantining dangerous dogs—or dogs involved in incidents like bites—are shaped by state laws and local ordinances. Here’s a breakdown of how it works, based on what’s laid out in the Orange County Codified Ordinance (OCCO) and California state regulations.
Quarantine Basics for Dog Bites
California law enforces a mandatory 10-day quarantine when a dog bites someone, causing skin damage. This isn’t about punishment—it’s a public health move to ensure the dog doesn’t have rabies, which matters since Orange County (like all of California) is classified as a “rabies area” by the state. The rule remains applicable regardless of the dog’s impeccable reputation or past misdeeds.
If the dog’s rabies vaccination is current and it doesn’t seem rabid, it can usually stay at the owner’s home for those 10 days. It’s got to be isolated—no contact with other people or animals outside the household if the dog is unvaccinated or looks sick (think foaming mouth or wild behavior); animal control can take it to a shelter or kennel for quarantine.
Local Help After a Dog Bite
Animal Care and Control
200 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Anaheim, CA 92805
(714) 765-4311
Main Hospital and Emergency Room
101 The City Drive South
Orange, CA 92868
714-456-7890
Tragic Dog Bite Attack in Anaheim
Two-year-old Grayson Bishop and his mother Samantha were brutally attacked by dogs when leaving their Orange County home in 2016. ABC 7 reported that two dogs escaped a neighbor’s residence and surrounded the mother and son. The dogs attacked and quickly started to chew on the mother’s arm.
After six minutes, Samantha and Grayson Bishop were finally able to enter their home when a man passing through the neighborhood came to their aid. The toddler suffered a major laceration on his face and leg. Grayson’s father said that the incident left him shocked, and he hopes for it never to happen again.
“Very scary to know that, you know, we can’t walk out the door to get coffee wondering if there’s going to be an animal to come attack,” said Grayson’s father, Spenser Grayson.
Answers to Common Dog Bite Questions
You might not think it happens too often, but dog bites and attacks by dogs are a fairly common occurrence. When a dog turns on you unexpectedly, it becomes the moral and legal responsibility of someone to compensate for your pain and suffering.
Just because dogs are lovable creatures, it doesn’t mean they can’t become aggressive. Oddly enough, dog bites and attacks have increased nationally while dog ownership has remained unchanged. There are a few possible reasons for this:
- Irresponsible dog owners
- Drastic changes in temperature (during summer months) create irritability
- More abandoned aggressive dogs in shelters
- More mixing of large and dangerous breeds
- Are dog attacks on the rise?
We can’t know for sure, but one thing we do know is that unprovoked dog bites will not be tolerated. especially in California, where the law is “one bite is enough.” A dog doesn’t have to show a propensity towards aggression or even have a past for biting.
Strict Liability
California has a strict liability rule regarding dog bites. Dog owners are subject to “strict liability” regarding dog bites, which means that the dog owner is legally responsible for any injuries caused by their dog, regardless of the animal’s history of violence or if the owner was negligent. To receive compensation for a dog bite, a person must prove that the dog’s owner is legally responsible for the incident.
Proving a California Dog Bite Claim
There are a few things you need to prove before you have a solid dog bite case:
- The defendant owned the dog
- The dog bit the plaintiff
- The plaintiff was lawfully on the premises where the dog bite took place
- The dog bite caused the plaintiff’s injuries
What if the dog owner knew of the animal’s aggressive or violent history? Victims must only show that the dog bit them and caused injuries.
Proving a dog bite injury and suing the dog owner involves a clear process, but it’s not as simple as pointing at the bite and asking for cash. You’ll need to build a solid case step-by-step, showing the owner’s at fault and that you’ve got real damages. Here’s how it typically goes down, based on how these things play out in most places—keeping in mind laws can vary by state or country:
1. Get Medical Attention (and Keep Records)
Immediately seek medical attention for the bite, even if it appears to be minor. Bites can get infected fast, and you’ll need proof of the injury anyway. Tell the doctor exactly what happened so it’s in your medical file. Hang onto everything: hospital bills, prescriptions, and photos of the bite right after it happened. This shows you were hurt and what it cost you—physically and financially.
2. Document the Dog Attack Incident
Right after the bite—or as soon as you can—write down every detail you can remember: where it happened, what time, what the dog was doing, and what the owner said or did. Snap pictures of the scene, like the yard or street where it happened. If there’s blood on your clothes or torn fabric, keep that too. The more evidence you’ve got, the harder it is for anyone to argue it didn’t happen.
3. Identify the Dog and Owner
Figure out who owns the dog. Ask neighbors or check local animal control reports if you don’t know them. Get the dog’s history if possible—was it tagged, licensed, or known for trouble? Some states have “one bite” rules, which exempt the owner unless the dog has bitten before, while others, like California, impose strict liability on the owner regardless of the incident. Knowing the owner’s and dog’s backstory helps pin down your angle.
4. Gather Witnesses
Get their name and number if anyone saw the bite—like a friend, delivery guy, or random passerby. A quick statement from them, even a text saying, “I saw the black lab bite you on Main Street,” can back you up. Witnesses make it more challenging for the owner to claim the dog was chill or you provoked it.
5. Report It to the Authorities
Call animal control or the police to file a report. They’ll log the dog bite, maybe quarantine it, and create an official record. This isn’t just about safety—it’s a paper trail that says, “This happened, and it was serious.” In some states, failing to report could weaken your case later.
6. Check Local Laws
Look up your state or city’s dog bite rules (or have your attorney do it). Some places—like California—make owners liable for bites no matter what, as long as you weren’t trespassing or messing with the dog. Others—like Texas—might need you to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous (like if it lunged at someone before). This shapes what you’ll need to prove.
7. Prove Liability
Essentially, you must demonstrate that the owner bears responsibility. Depending on your local laws, that might mean:
Strict Liability: California’s strict liability law empowers victims to seek damages.
Negligence: The owner didn’t control the dog—like letting it run loose or ignoring its mean streak. Evidence like “no leash” or past complaints helps here.
Provocation Defense: The owner might say you teased or hurt the dog first. Your job is to show you didn’t, like with witnesses or your own account. Photos, vet records, or prior incident reports can seal this part.
8. Calculate Your Damages
You must demonstrate the financial impact of the bite. Add up:
– Medical bills (stitches, rabies shots, therapy if it’s bad).
– Lost wages if you missed work.
– Pain and suffering—like sleepless nights or scars that won’t fade.
– Property damage (if the dog trashed your jacket or phone).
Be thorough. A $50 ER co-pay might not sound like much, but it adds up with everything else.
9. Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
You have the option to handle everything independently, but a skilled attorney is adept at managing insurance, organizing paperwork, and advocating for a just outcome. They’ll usually work on contingency (no win, no fee), so it’s low risk. Provide your evidence and let the attorney handle the legal back-and-forth.
10. File a Claim or Lawsuit
Your attorney will send a demand letter to the owner or their insurance, laying out your case and what you want—$10,000 for bills and pain. If they pay up, great.
11. Negotiate or Go to Trial
Most cases settle out of court—the owner’s insurance doesn’t want a drawn-out fight. Your attorney will haggle to get you the best deal. If it’s a no-go, you’re off to trial, where a judge or jury decides based on your proof. Trials are rare, but you’ve got to be ready.
File Your Lawsuit Before the Deadline Expires
Timing’s key—most states give you 1-3 years from the bite to sue (statute of limitations), so don’t sleep on it. And watch out for the owner claiming you were at fault—like if you climbed their fence or kicked the dog. Solid evidence shuts that down fast.
Do You need An Attorney for Your Case?
That depends on how complex your case is and the extent of your injuries. If you have a relatively simple case, you may be able to negotiate a settlement with the dog owner to pay your medical costs and time off work.
If it’s more complex than that, involving surgery, follow-up care, mental or emotional trauma, and pain and suffering, then a dog bite attorney with a lot of experience would be ideal for handling your dog bite lawsuit.
This is especially true if you receive extended medical care because of the injuries, as your future medical expenses can be ongoing.
It’s also quite common for insurance companies to try and derail your dog bite claim. They’ll use every tactic in their arsenal to deny the claim, and a personal injury attorney with experience in dog bites can increase compensation.
in Anaheim, as throughout the rest of California, allows dog bite victims to file a claim for damages that can help them recover their losses. However, dog bite claims always have the potential to become complex. If a dog has injured you or someone you love, it is important to speak to an Anaheim dog bite lawyer who can help you with your dog bite lawsuit.
California Dog Bite Statute Meaning
Even if there is a sign posted on the premises that declare “Beware of dog,” and a person is bitten while on your property, you will still be at fault.
Short of someone attacking you or being on your property without consent, a dog bite is the owner’s fault and can result in heavy fees if a case is brought.
Homeowners’ insurance will usually cover the general liability of a dog bite unless the breed has been excluded. If that’s the case, the person could be personally sued by a dog bite victim.
California state law recognizes that a personal injury victim’s experience deserves compensation, and a dog attack can be a terrifying and traumatic ordeal.
Our Anaheim dog bite lawyers are valuable for calculating the damages you can include in your personal injury claim. The attack likely resulted in physical injuries such as deep scratches, puncture wounds, soft tissue injuries, and possibly even broken bones. Dog bite victims have the right to seek compensation and to be rewarded pain and suffering including PTSD.
2025 Best Dog Bite Lawyer in Anaheim
If you need more information give us a call and one of our skilled Anaheim dog bite attorneys will be happy to assist you. We can go over the details of your case including medical treatment, loss of earnings, and continued therapy.
Time is of the essence to preserve your rights. Be sure to provide your attorney with all of the evidence you have collected from the attack. Call 949-203-3814 for a free consultation.
