Diseases Linked to Dog Bites in California
I’m Ed Smith, a Stockton dog bite attorney. Dog bites in California are common. One thing many clients don’t realize is that aside from the physical damage they can do, dog bites are capable of inflicting serious disease. Let’s take a look at the incidence of dog bites as well as some of the diseases linked to them.
Incidence of Dog Bites
There are approximately 78 million dogs in this country. Annually, 4.5 million dog bites are reported. The alleged number of dog bites in California was the highest in the country in 2013 at 1,919. New York is second at 965. Insurance claims for dog bites have climbed too due to higher medical costs. Dog bite claims account for about 33 percent of homeowner payouts.
What Dogs Are More Likely to Bite?
Male dogs are the most likely to bite. If the dog is unneutered, the possibility of a bite goes up even more. Contrary to popular opinion, chained dogs are much more likely to bite. While it seems unfair to single out a particular breed, statistics tell us that almost 75 percent of all bites and/or fatalities are due to rottweilers and pit bull varieties.
Who Is Most Likely to Be Bitten?
Unfortunately, children suffer the most dog bites. Men follow closely behind. Approximately 42 percent of all dog bites involve children under 14 with the majority between five and nine-years-old. Younger children suffer more bites to the face, neck, and head. Aside from these, more bites involve the arms and hands rather than the legs and feet by a factor of 45 to 26 percent. Many dog bites are related to work. Postmen and women frequently suffer dog bites.
Injuries Related to Dog Bites in California
Aside from a broad diagnosis of the dog bite, the following injuries are noted along with their percentage of occurrence:
- Puncture wounds (42 percent)
- Lacerations (25 percent)
- Abrasion/hematoma/contusion (6 percent)
- Infection/cellulitis (1.5 percent)
- Crush/amputation (0.8 percent)
- Dislocation/fracture (0.4 percent)
Diseases Transmitted by a Dog Bite
- Tetanus: Tetanus is a disease that attacks the nervous system. It is caused by Clostridium tetani, a common bacteria. This bacteria is normally found in the soil. It also exists in dust, dog saliva and manure.The bacteria produces spores, which can grow only in an oxygen-deprived atmosphere. Under such conditions, a neurotoxin called Tetanospasmin is released.The most peripheral nerves carry the toxin to the spinal cord. Once there, it prohibits the relaxation mechanism of muscle, causing sustained muscle contraction. An example of this is lockjaw.
- MRSA: Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacteria. However, a particular form is resistant to methicillin, an antibiotic that treats it. This is called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA. It is harder to treat than other forms. The severity of the infection is linked to the location, and wounds deeper than the skin such as surgical incisions are life-threatening. Approximately 2 percent of individuals are carriers of MRSA. Staph is a common bacteria from even a healthy dog’s mouth.
- Rabies: This is a viral disease. It is transmitted from an infected dog to a human by a dog bite. The virus is harbored in the dog’s saliva. The virus can remain in the human bloodstream for months before any symptoms appear. Initial symptoms include muscle pain and ache. Shortly afterward, the person may become agitated and confused with diminishing mentation. Dog owners are obligated to give their pets preventive rabies shots.
Dog Bites in California
In California, dog owners are responsible for damages to another person bitten by their dog. The only requirement is that the dog bite either occurs in a place open to the public or a private residence as long as the person is there lawfully. It does not matter if the owner did not know the dog might bite. All the plaintiff needs to demonstrate is that they were bitten. A victim’s damage recovery might be interrupted if there is proof he or she provoked the dog.
More from Ed Smith, a dog bite lawyer in Stockton:
Stockton Dog Bite Attorneys
I’m Ed Smith, a Stockton dog bite attorney. If you or a family member was bitten by a dog in a public or private place, you have every right to expect the owner to pay for your damages. Just reach out to me at (209) 231-1931 anytime or (800) 404-5400 for friendly and free advice.
I’ve worked with residents of Stockton in wrongful death cases and car accidents to make sure they receive just compensation for their injuries since 1982.
You might like to see how clients feel about my law practice. Go to Avvo, Yelp and Google to find out.
I was inducted into the Million Dollar Advocates Forum because I have won settlements and verdicts of $1 million or more.
You can take a look at my settlements and verdicts online.
I founded and own AutoAccident.com. I built this website to give my clients way to learn about personal injury law.
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