Dog Ownership Comes With Huge Responsibility and Training![training dog on a leash]()
The latest dog bite statistics have shown that dogs bite 4.7 million people in America each year, and there are approximately 62 million dogs in the United States. Unfortunately, more Americans are purchasing fiercer breeds and leaving their dogs more often at home alone, untrained, and unsupervised.
Most dog bites or attacks occur when dogs are tied up for long periods or spend most of their time alone and, therefore, are not used to strangers. Of course, these dogs have also not had basic obedience training. This shows the close ties between human responsibility and pet ownership.
A California dog owner is liable for every bite his or her dog inflicts on another person under California law. The old law was that a dog owner was not liable unless the dog had already shown it was likely to hurt someone. However, the law has changed with the times. Contact our San Diego dog bite lawyer team if you are looking for compensation for a dog bite injury.
Most states, including California, hold dog owners strictly liable for any harm their dog causes to another person. This is true whether or not the owner believed beforehand that their dog was dangerous.
This is a high standard given to dog owners. They need to notice that they take on a potentially huge responsibility as a dog owner in California. Dog owners are responsible for an injured person's damages, which can include, but are not limited to:
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
Dog owners everywhere can prevent bites by teaching their dogs through obedience training. As an owner, you must train and socialize your pet, and California affords plenty of opportunities to do just that. California humane societies everywhere offer low-cost, basic dog obedience classes. We highly recommend enrolling your dog if you haven't already done so. These classes teach you how to train your dog, and they're carefully organized and structured to get your dog to start learning, too. Also, it can be a lot of fun!
Dog ownership does not have to be just about worrying about dog bites and legal liability. Make the experience of dog ownership safe and fun!
