Stockton Dog Bite Lawyer

brown dog

Most people who own dogs consider their pets as part of the family. As the saying goes, a dog is a man's best friend. So, when a dog bite incident happens, it is not ordinary for emotions to flare up and natural instincts to protect the family pet from kicking in. Unfortunately, regardless of how friendly and lovable a dog has always been, any dog can become aggressive and attack in the blink of an eye, leaving the victim with serious injuries, including disfigurement, permanent scarring, and psychological trauma, or, in some cases, the dog bite may even result in death.

While most dog owners believe their dog would not hurt a soul, numerous people are attacked by dogs each year. Many of those victims are children. And, quite often, dogs attack for no reason at all.

Unprovoked dog attacks may occur because of the dog's natural aggressive predisposition or due to an illness or condition the dog has, such as rabies. In such situations, an experienced Stockton dog bite attorney can help injured parties hold owners financially accountable for the damages their pets have caused under California law. 

If you have been bitten by a dog, call our injury lawyers today at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 to schedule a free consultation to learn about your legal options for financial recovery. 

Dog Breeds That Are Considered Dangerous

Our law firm has met dogs that were one of the breeds considered dangerous, and they were some of the sweetest, most well-trained, and friendly pets we have ever met. Our Stockton dog bite attorneys have also heard plenty of stories about dogs on the most dangerous breed list that were vicious and aggressive, and no amount of training could calm them down. We have also seen dogs that landed in the most dangerous dog breeds go from being the sweetest, lovable dogs to suddenly attacking.

Here are the breeds that are considered dangerous:

  • Pitbull
  • Rottweiler
  • German Shepherds
  • Bull Mastiffs
Should I Get a Stockton Dog Bite Lawyer for an Animal Attack Case?

If you, your child, or someone you love has been injured in a dog attack, you may be able to recover the maximum amount of liability under California dog bite law from the dog's owner. Our Stockton dog bite lawyers have helped injured parties recover fair compensation for their injuries and losses incurred. Our law firm understands the intricacies of preparing, proving, and arguing California's dog bite and animal attack cases.

Choosing a Stockton dog bite lawyer is often a daunting experience for dog bite victims. You are trying to recover from your injuries and move forward with your life, but you must also ensure your medical bills get paid. When selecting an attorney to pursue your Stockton dog bite case, you must choose an injury lawyer with the experience and past success of representing Stockton dog bite victims and someone you feel is a good match for your needs.

We encourage you to contact our law firm for a free consultation to determine if we are the right Stockton dog bite injury attorneys for your case.

Common Dog Bite Injuries

Most of us will envision bite mark wounds when thinking about dog bite injuries. We must remember that many dogs, especially the larger dogs, and breeds that are more well-known for aggressive behavior, are incredibly muscular and have sharp teeth that grow naturally to tear into and rip meat apart. Combine those physical characteristics with aggressive behavior, and one dog can inflict severe physical damage on a person in just moments.

Typical dog bite injuries, besides bite wounds that our past clients have had, include:

  • Disfigurement
  • Internal bleeding
  • Damage to ligaments and tendons
  • Spinal cord and nerve injuries
  • Torn muscles
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Broken bones
California Dog Bite Law

California follows strict liability laws regarding dog bites that occur in Stockton. Fortunately, strict liability means that victims of dog bite injuries in Stockton are provided maximum financial protection. According to the California dog bite statute, if a dog causes harm to an individual, the dog owner is held 100 percent responsible for the injuries and any damages that come along with the injuries. The owner does not have to be aware of the dog's past aggressive behavior. In fact, absolutely no prior knowledge, understanding, or intent is required to hold the dog's owner liable.

California holds dog owners accountable for the behavior and actions of their pets. Anyone wanting to own a pet is also obligated to raise, train, and supervise their domesticated animal. If their animal, for whatever reason, displays aggressive behavior, the dog owner is responsible for adequately correcting the behavior and restraining the animal to ensure that a dog bite or attack incident does not occur. Contact an experienced dog bite injury lawyer in Stockton for more details.

Stockton Dog Bite FAQ

What happens after a dog bite is reported?

After biting a persona, the dog in question must be quarantined for a minimum of ten days. To start the mandatory quarantine process, animal bites must be reported to local health officials. This procedure is to ensure the dog does not have rabies. If the dog does not appear to be rabid, it can be quarantined in the dog owner’s home. If it is a high risk for rabies, the quarantine has to be done at a local animal shelter. The quarantine period would end with the release of the dog or euthanasia if it had rabies.


What happens if another dog bites my dog?

If the attacking dog is considered dangerous and your dog has to be put down due to its injuries, the owner of the other dog may be held liable for the amount you paid for your dog. If the other dog owner violated California's leash laws, they might be held responsible for any veterinary costs.


The video below proves some dog bite prevention safety tips for children and adults.

Contact a Stockton Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Today

If you have been hurt by a dog, contact our law firm today to schedule a free consultation to learn about your legal options for financial recovery at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400. Our Stockton dog bite injury attorneys are available anytime to offer free, friendly advice on animal attack cases.

We are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

See our client reviews on AvvoYelp, and Google and our past verdicts and settlements.

Editor's Note: updated [cha 7.31.23] Image by Pitsch from Pixabay [cs 1110]

Additional Resources:

Client Reviews
★★★★★
"Me and my wife; had a car accident. We were amazed how easy, professional, friendly attorney Ed Smith is along with his staff. Everybody is amazing. Thank you so much, we are very impressed!" Alex & Dinah M.
★★★★★
"Ed Smith and his office team took on a difficult personal injury case on my behalf and for the passenger in my car. Ed is a top- notch attorney. His staff couldn't have been more helpful and kind. No need to look elsewhere. I give Ed Smith my highest recommendation." Beverly
★★★★★
"Ed and Robert have been taking great care of my husband and I for the past 5+ years. They are always there when you have a problem and a quick resolution! Even when the issues have nothing to do with them. They are willing to help ease the pain off your shoulders. They are as good as it gets! Thank you again for everything." Annie T.
★★★★★
"Very professional. Great team, staff and service all around. Mr Smith was very honest, straight forward with his advice. He gives the word "attorney" an honest reputation. I will seek his council anytime, and would recommend him at the drop of a dime." Jeremy M.
★★★★★
"I would highly recommend Ed Smith to any friends or family in need of a personal injury attorney. Ed, and his staff, are very caring on top of being very experienced in this field. The staff always keeps you informed of the status of your case and they are always easy to reach by phone." Shannon D.
★★★★★
"Edward Smith law offices provide competent, thorough, and personable help for victims of personal injury. When you first meet the staff you know you contacted the right office. This law office treats clients like people. I recommend this office to anyone seeking representation regarding personal injury." David M.