How To Report a Dog Bitein Sacramento

Dog bite victims in Sacramento sometimes wonder whether they should report their attack incidents to city officials.

The answer is a firm YES in all cases. Proper reporting helps remove dangerous dogs from public streets and provides you with valuable evidence that you can use to hold a dog owner accountable for your harm.

Let’s review the dog bite reporting process in Sacramento County and discover how victims can secure their legal rights and fair compensation for their injuries after an animal attack.

Who Should I Call to Report a Dog Attack?

You should report your dog bite incident to the Sacramento County Animal Care Services for non-emergency wounds. Their number is 916-368-PETS (7387).

The law obligates Animal service agents to investigate all major and minor dog bite cases. Control officers will document the bite circumstances, identify the dog, verify rabies vaccinations, and determine if the animal poses a health risk requiring action.

In severe cases, call 9-1-1 without delay to seek immediate medical care. Emergency responders will administer first aid and arrange hospital transportation for fast wound treatment. You should only contact Animal Services after your emergency care injuries stabilize.

Steps to Take After a Sacramento Dog Bite

Should someone in Sacramento fall victim to a dog attack, LA DOG BITE LAW advises taking these vital actions:

• Seek Medical Attention – Dog bite wounds can quickly become infected. Consult a physician to clean, close, and dress injuries appropriately. Ask for complete documentation of bite locations, wound measurements, and treatments.
• Identify The Animal – Note the dog’s physical characteristics, tags displaying owner information, and where the incident happened. Supply all details to Animal Services for their investigative report.
• Document The Scene – On your smartphone, photograph visible bite marks, blood, clothing tears, surrounding areas, and anything relevant whenever possible.
• Get Witness Contacts – Record names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the attack. Their accounts help establish fault.
• Report Bite To Authorities – Notify Sacramento County Animal Control and the Sacramento Police immediately. Follow up by obtaining a copy of the official reports and keeping them safe.

Where Dog Attacks Commonly Occur in Sacramento

Sacramento County public parks see many dog bites when unleashed pets interact with the public and small children. You should take caution when visiting the notable local public areas below.

William Land Park

Over 1.75 million people visit this 160-acre recreational area annually. Its trails and fields allow dogs off-leash, raising bite incident risks.

William Land Park

3800 Land Park Dr
Sacramento, CA

Joseph Reichmuth Park

Located along scenic Arcade Creek, Reichmuth Park’s meandering paths and open spaces pose dangers to the over 100,000 yearly visitors.

Joseph Reichmuth Park

6135 Gloria Dr, Sacramento, CA 95831

Granite Regional Park

Adjacent to Sacramento’s Regional Transit light rail, Granite Park’s dog park sees vehicles and pedestrians mingling with pets. Bite hazards abound.

Granite Regional Park

8200 Ramona Ave, Sacramento, CA 95826

Dog Parks in Sacramento

Dog parks in Sacramento County also have pets that can get overly aggressive or defensive against people enjoying the recreation areas. Below are a few off-leash areas to watch out for:

• Barandas Dog Park
• Blackbird Park Dog Parks
• Tanzanite Community Park
• Partner Park
• Lynn Robie Dog Park

While using Sacramento Parks and Recreation facilities, staying vigilant about your surroundings can protect you from a dog attack.

Common Injuries From Dog Attacks

Canine bites can cause minor to severe wounds requiring extensive medical treatment. Sacramento hospitals commonly treat the following dog mauling injuries:

• Lacerations – Jagged incisor punctures pierce the skin and underlying tissues, often requiring stitches.
• Torn Muscles – Dogs violently shake their heads while biting and pulling arm, leg, and body muscles.
• Fractures – Powerful jaw pressure easily breaks bones in hands, arms, and legs.
• Amputations – Bites crushing hands, fingers, ears, and noses may necessitate partial or total amputation.
• Infections – Saliva introduced deep into wounds carries bacteria causing localized or systemic infections.
• Emotional Trauma – Dog bites produce intense psychological pain, anxiety, and fear lasting months or years.

How Sacramento Dog Bite Victims Can Protect Their Rights

California applies “strict liability” statutes regarding dog attacks. This rule means owners face absolute accountability when their pets bite or injure someone, regardless of previous non-aggressive behavior.

To secure your legal rights after suffering a Sacramento dog attack:

• Save All Medical Records – Keep documents detailing bite wounds, treatments, medications, therapies, and other medical services guiding settlement discussions.
• Photograph Injuries – Pictures showing wounds, bandages, scarring, or disabilities help establish incident severity and appropriate compensation.
• Keep Receipts – Retain receipts for medical co-pays, prescriptions, medical equipment purchases, or other expenditures for which victims deserve repayment.
• Get Witness Statements – Accounts from parties witnessing attacks prove invaluable for attorneys determining fault and confirming incident details.

California’s Strict Liability Laws

Our state holds among America’s strictest liability laws regarding animal attacks under California Civil Code §3342. These rules differ significantly from other jurisdictions as described below:

• No “One-Bite Rule” – Owners face responsibility for dog attacks regardless of previous incidents. The “one free bite” provision protecting owners of first-time biters doesn’t apply in California.
• No Provocation Necessary – Even contributing behavior spurring dogs to bite doesn’t necessarily exonerate owners from liability.

California’s “strict liability” statutes mean owners assume responsibility for all dog bites. Exceptions occur only when victims intentionally trespass on private property or tease, torment, abuse, or aggressively interact with the animal, provoking defensive actions.

The California Dog Bite Statute Of Limitations

California CCP §335.1 states that dog bite victims must bring claims within two years of the attack date. Minors under the age of eighteen enjoy the following extended limits:

• Two Years Or Until Age 20 – Victims bitten as minors younger than 18 years can file claims until age 20.
• Parents Have Two Years – Guardians must submit a minor’s dog bite claim within two years of the attack date or forfeit rights to recover damages until the minor turns 20.

Meeting the statute deadline proves essential for securing compensation for bite injuries, scarring, disabilities, lost income, medical bills, therapies, and other damages.

What Compensation Can Sacramento Dog Bite Victims Recover?

Strict liability statutes allow victims to recover compensation for wide-ranging attack damages, including the following:

• Medical Expenses – Bills for hospitalization, surgeries, medications, treatment equipment, and therapies represent typical recoveries. Specialists often treat complex wounds.
• Lost Income – Victims who miss work while recovering can receive compénsation for lost salary, benefits, commissions, and tips.
• Disability Costs – The courts allow reimbursement for equipment costs, home modifications, and care assistance to treat lasting impairments.
• Pain And Suffering – Juries may assign dollar values for a victim’s physical discomfort and emotional trauma linked to fear, anxiety, sleep loss, and other conditions caused by dog bite trauma.
• Punitive Damages – Defendants’ gross negligence or reckless acts sometimes merit extra punishment awards to deter similar future misconduct.

Are You Ready to Report Your Dog Bite Injury?

At LA Dog Bite Law, we assist dog bite victims across Sacramento using our many years of experience handling animal attack cases specifically.

Benefits of our no-cost, no-obligation case evaluation include:

• Determining exact liability details from our unbiased perspective.
• Calculating potential settlement ranges based on previous results.
• Outlining your legal strategy and options.
• Connecting you with trusted medical or healthcare resources.
• Recommending ways to boost your claim value.
• Answering all questions.

If attacked by a dog in the Sacramento region, please contact us for a free consultation with our dog bite attorneys. We guide clients through the confusion – you focus on healing while we handle negotiations firmly.