How To Report A Dog Bite To Animal Control In LA County

If you or a loved one have recently suffered a dog bite in LA County, you need to understand your obligation to report the incident to the Los Angeles County Veterinary Public Health and Rabies Control after seeking the appropriate medical care. Sadly, many dog bite victims fail to contact the proper authorities to report the bite because they are trying to protect the dog’s owner, who could be a friend, family member, or neighbor. However, it is clear that in Los Angeles County, all animal bites to humans, except those from rodents and rabbits, must be reported, and you are required to provide all known information about the animal’s location. The information you provide will be used to locate and evaluate the animal’s health, the possible need to quarantine, and the treatment plan for the human based on information about the dog’s health.

However, in the case of severe dog bites in LA County, the priority should always be seeking the necessary treatment from a healthcare provider. Calling 911 could be the best choice when the damage is severe, there is extensive bleeding, or you are bitten when you are alone and need help to stop the bleeding or to treat the wounds. It is also critical to understand that any time an animal bite, such as a dog bite in LA County, occurs and the victim’s skin is broken; there is the potential for a life-threatening infection and costly medical bills. So, after getting the emergency medical care needed for the dog bite wound, you should contact the expert dog bite lawyers in La County at Kenmore Law Group.

Our staff can be reached 24/7 to help you understand your rights and obligations after suffering a dog bite in Los Angeles County, which includes the cities of Long Beach, Santa Clarita, Glendale, Lancaster, Palmdale, Santa Clarita, Glendale, Pasadena, and Santa Monica. The staff member you speak to at Kenmore Law Group will assist you in understanding and gathering any information you need to provide to the authorities regarding the dog bite incident and information to prepare in the event you need to file a lawsuit against the dog’s owner to recover the losses incurred due to the injuries suffered.

Who You Should Contact In LA County To Report A Dog Bite
LA County is a massive space that covers over 4,000 square miles and is larger than some east coast states. It includes many larger cities such as Long Beach, Santa Clarita, Glendale, Lancaster, Palmdale, Santa Clarita, Glendale, Pasadena, and Santa Monica, some of which have their own dog bite reporting requirements. These locations are:

• Pasadena requires the dog bite to be reported to the Pasadena Humane Society at 626-792-7151.
• Long Beach asks that dog bites be reported to the Long Beach Animal Control at 562-570-7387.
• Vernon requires filing dog bite reports with the Vernon Health Department at 323-583-8811.
• All dog bites suffered in any other areas in LA County should be reported to Los Angeles County Veterinary Public Health and Rabies Control at 213-288-7060.

Basic Dog Bite Treatment You Should Know
The severity of your dog bite injury could range from a minor nip that barely breaks the skin to significant damage that will require emergency medical care immediately. In the event of a minor wound, treatment is still vital to protect your health. The bacteria in a dog’s mouth and saliva can result in the victim suffering infections due to rabies, strep, staph, or cellulitis when the skin is broken.

To lessen the risk of infection, wash the wound with warm water and mild soap for five to ten minutes to flush the area. Apply a clean cloth or bandage with mild pressure to stop any bleeding. Apply an antibiotic cream to help fend off any infection and cover the area until you can seek a complete evaluation from a medical professional. Even after seeking medical care, monitoring the bite area for several days is vital to detect the early signs of an infection, such as redness, swelling, increased pain, or a fever. If any of these indications of infection are present, seek medical care immediately.

Other Vital Protection After Suffering An LA County Dog Bite
Many victims of a dog bite know the dog that bit them and their owner. It could be a friend, family member, or even your pet. But regardless, there is still the possibility of health issues arising later that could result in costly medical care. So, it is wise to be proactive and gather all the information you might need if the injuries from your dog bite are more severe than expected or an infection complicates the situation.

• As soon as possible after the dog bite incident, there are precautions you should take that include:
• Photograph the injury and any damage caused during the incident. If you feel when the dog jumped on you and bit your arm, and you injured your leg or hand in the fall, document that harm as well as the dog bite.
• Make a written list of the effects of the dog bite incident that could include the injuries suffered to the neck or back from falling, a headache, or fear due to the trauma of the event.
• Gather information about the dog as well as any identifying features. Gathering a physical description of any dog you do not know is vital to help locate and verify its health. Include the breed or your best guess of the breed, color, size, any collar or tags, and a photo if possible.
• Retain copies of all documentation, including the report you file with Los Angeles County Veterinary Public Health and Rabies Control or another animal control facility, your medical records related to the treatment of the dog bite, contact information for anyone who witnessed the dog bite, and their written statement of the events.

Who Is Responsible For My Dog Bite Injuries?
Most of the questions potential clients have when they contact Kenmore Law Group about a dog bite incident in LA County focus on who is responsible for the dog bite injuries and is liable for the bills incurred. They are unaware that California is a strict liability state regarding dog bites. That means the owner is ultimately responsible for any damage caused by their dog if they bite a person in a public space or legally visit a private space.

As long as you were in a public area, like a park or the city sidewalk, or you were an invited guest to private property, a customer, or an invited worker when you were bitten, the dog’s owner is responsible for the harm caused by the dog. If the dog’s owner is not willing to take responsibility for the acts of the animal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Kenmore Law Group immediately to discuss your rights as the victim of a dog bite in LA County. Our team will explain the process of seeking justice and compensation for your injuries and losses via an LA County dog bite lawsuit.

How Long Do I Have To File A Dog Bite Lawsuit?
After suffering a dog bite in California, you are considered the victim of a personal injury. The Statute of Limitations provides two years from the date of the injury incident for the victim of a personal injury to have their claim filed with the court. If the case is not in the hands of the court by the expiration of the Statute of Limitations for the case, you will permanently lose the right to seek justice and compensation for harm and losses due to that dog bite incident.

Please reach out to Kenmore Law Group as soon as possible after suffering a dog bite to discuss your options. The sooner you begin to prepare for the worst-case scenario, the less stressful it will be if you file a lawsuit to secure the compensation owed to you.

What Is An LA County Dog Bite Lawsuit Worth?
Your legal team at Kenmore Law Group will carefully evaluate all your losses and expenses to determine the value of your dog bite lawsuit. The items often included in a dog bite lawsuit case are:

• All medical costs to treat the dog bite and estimated future medical expenses related to the injuries
• Your legal cost for the lawsuit
• Any lost wages
• Financial compensation for your pain and suffering

When Will I Get My Compensation?
The sooner you contact Kenmore Law Group to discuss the facts of your dog bite incident, the faster we can build the case to present to the court. However, once the case is in the hands of the court, the time can vary based on its workload and the defendant’s actions. Please contact our office today for a free consultation with a dog bite attorney to learn more about the time needed to prepare and litigate your lawsuit.

No Upfront Legal Fees From Kenmore Law Group
After suffering a personal injury, it can be challenging to pay out-of-pocket legal fees to seek the money that is owed to you. At Kenmore Law Group, we never charge any upfront fees. We only get paid after the case is completed and you get the compensation needed to cover your legal costs. And you owe us nothing if we fail to win your LA County dog bite lawsuit. Please do not hesitate to contact our office immediately to learn more about our services and your rights as a dog bite victim.