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How To Report a Dog Bite in Riverside County

how to report a dog bite in riverside
how to report a dog bite in riverside

Bit by a dog in Riverside? After medical treatment, you need to report the incident to animal control authorities immediately.

This straightforward guide will cover everything you need to know to document the bite accurately—from gathering key details and filling out forms to potential legal action.

Follow our advice to guarantee your dog bite claim gets filed completely and correctly on the very first attempt.

Who to Contact After a Riverside Dog Attack

If you or a loved one suffers a dog bite, immediately call 9-1-1 to report the attack to local authorities. An operator will dispatch animal control and emergency medical services right away.

Animal control officers will secure the dangerous dog, get your official statement, take photos of injuries, and document the scene. Law enforcement will file an incident report you can use to back your legal claim.

For minor injuries, you can contact the Riverside County Department of Animal Services directly at 951-358-7387 to tell agency staff about the bite and start a formal investigation.

Agents will want details like where and when the attack happened and the owner’s contact information if you have it. They may also initiate safety measures like quarantining the aggressive dog for rabies observation.

You may also start documenting the incident right away by photographing wounds plus writing down a summary of what occurred. These pieces of evidence will become crucial when seeking compensation later on.

Steps to Take After Contacting the Authorities

If you were bit by a dog, your next steps are crucial to your physical and financial recovery. Follow these tips:

  1. Immediately clean the bite wound with soap and water to lower infection risk and stop bleeding
  2. Document marks before they fade
  3. Get examined by a doctor, regardless of wound severity, to prevent possible infection and determine if more treatment is necessary.
  4. Retain all medical paperwork
  5. Collect the dog owner’s contact details and insurance information if you didn’t get it at the bite scene.
  6. Search for witnesses who can provide statements while memories are fresh. These documents will help assign liability.
  7. Contact a dog bite lawyer to determine if you have a case for compensation

After an animal attack, you’re in a vulnerable place; don’t let the dog owner or their insurance company trick you out of rightful compensation. Instead, follow the above tips and get professional guidance from an experienced lawyer.

Common Public Places Where Dog Attacks Happen

Dog attacks frequently happen in Riverside County public areas like parks, trails, and sidewalks, where pets often walk unleashed even when laws say otherwise.

Victims can be passersby, postal workers, utility workers, or people peacefully enjoying themselves outdoors.

Off-Leash Dog Parks in Riverside County

Riverside County offers several popular dog spaces where owners can let pets run freely. However, these locations also pose an increased risk of dog attacks on people due to the presence of off-leash animals.

Serious bite incidents may occur at the following unfenced county dog parks, making them areas to use with caution:

  • Hunt Park — 4015 Jackson St, Riverside, CA 92503
  • Box Springs Mountain Reserve — Hidden Springs Dr, Moreno Valley, CA 92557
  • Hidden Valley Wildlife Area — 11401 Arlington Ave, Riverside, CA 92505

Common Injuries from Dog Attacks in Riverside

Orange County Dog attacks often leave victims with serious wounds requiring immediate medical treatment and extended recovery periods.

Some common traumatic physical injuries suffered during savage and unprovoked dog maulings include:

  • Lacerations – Jagged skin and tissue, typically tearing on the arms and legs. Often leaves disfiguring scars.
  • Limb Fractures – An aggressive dog may bite down with hundreds of pounds of force, breaking wrist, arm, and leg bones. May require surgery and casts.
  • Nerve Damage – Teeth piercing into hands, fingers, or feet can sever sensitive nerves and cause loss of sensation or dexterity.
  • Infections – Saliva passing into bites or scratches can transfer dangerous bacteria, causing redness, swelling, oozing, and fever, requiring antibiotics.
  • Emotional Trauma – Being bitten viciously and without warning commonly produces immense emotional stress like panic attacks, anxiety, and PTSD, requiring counseling.

The injuries suffered in brutal, unprovoked dog attacks can devastate victims’ lives physically and emotionally while also creating immense financial burdens. However, California’s strict liability laws ensure that compensation is attainable when building a compelling legal case.

Contact LA Dog Bite Law today to explore your legal options for recovering damages after suffering bite wounds, broken bones, infections, or emotional trauma from a dog attack in Riverside County’s public parks and trails.

We’re here to help you regain your quality of life.

How Dog Bite Victims in Riverside Secure Their Legal Rights

Riverside County courts apply the state’s “strict liability” statutes in dog bite cases, meaning owners face automatic penalties when their pets attack, regardless of past non-aggression.

However, building a robust legal case still demands acting quickly to gather solid evidence like medical reports, vet records, witness statements, and more to demonstrate actionable damages.

An experienced Riverside County dog bite lawyer simplifies handling complex court procedures and dog bite laws while fighting for maximum compensation.

Riverside County’s Strict Liability Laws and Establishing Fault

As mentioned earlier, California Civil Code §3342 holds dog owners financially liable when their pet bites someone. So victims don’t have to prove the owner knowingly kept a dangerous animal.

However, owners often dispute incident details or use the legal defenses of “provocation” and “assumption of risk” to defeat strict liability allegations.

A Riverside personal injury attorney can construct counter-defense arguments that assign the highest culpability to animal owners.

Statute of Limitations for Dog Bites in Orange County

California CCP §335.1 holds that dog bite victims have two years from the incident date to file a lawsuit against a dog owner and seek rightful restitution.

One should retain an attorney soon after being bitten to build the most potent case before the deadline. Waiting until the last minute often jeopardizes one’s right to sue or file an insurance claim.

Available Compensation for Your Damages After a Riverside Dog Attack

California law allows dog bite victims to recover compensation for all physical, financial, and emotional losses.

Legal remedies include reimbursement for medical bills, lost income, property destruction, pain, disfigurement, emotional anguish, and any other reasonable damages assessable.

An attorney will assess all current and future impacts to return your life to normal.

Are You Prepared to Officially Report Your Dog Bite?

Suffering a dog attack can be a frightening, painful, and life-disrupting ordeal, leading to financial worries and emotional stress.

However, by taking the proper steps immediately afterward, including reporting the incident to authorities, documenting injuries, seeking medical care, and contacting an attorney, Riverside County dog bite victims can secure the justice they deserve.

Our experienced legal team stands ready to guide clients through the state’s complex laws and build strong cases proving maximum culpability so they can focus on healing.

How LA Dog Bite Law in Riverside County Can Help

If you or someone you care about suffered a dog bite injury anywhere in Riverside County, including attacks in public parks or trails, contact LA DOG BITE LAW attorneys immediately for a free case review and more:

  • Assessment of total current and future damages.
  • Maximum compensation for physical and emotional harm.
  • Recovering expenses for all losses.
  • No upfront fees. We collect payment only if you collect damages first.

Get Started With Riverside County Dog Bite Law Today

Contact us by phone or online to arrange a free consultation and determine your best path toward fair compensation. Our legal team will answer your questions and discuss your options during this difficult time. Reach out today to start building your claim.

 

How to Report a Dog Bite Near You

Our reach extends throughout California, from the sunny streets of San Diego to the bustling cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco, and beyond. We’re here to help victims across the state report dog bites, find the legal support they need, and ensure that justice is served. By reporting dog bites and seeking assistance, we’re all doing our part in making our communities safer while helping victims get back on their feet.

Book your FREE case review now.
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