Dog Bites Man- the Hazards of Owning a Dog:

I happen to be a huge dog lover, so let there be no claims that I am biased against dogs They make wonderful companions. I currently own two beautiful Golden Retrievers and have owned dogs all of my life. Even the most trusted dogs, despite their domestic status and record, can cause major injuries on children and adults. I've seen innocent children with gaping holes in their faces, missing ears, and gashes all over their bodies: the result of an encounter with a so-called "friendly" dog, so I know.

Dog owners in California are liable for injuries or death caused by their dog's bite. It is irrelevant whether or not the dog has ever bitten anyone previously or if it has ever shown aggressive behavior towards people and other dogs. The dog doesn't get a free bite- not even one. If your dog does bite someone, you as the owner, may be required to pay for all medical bills resulting from the injury. You may also be required to pay for any loss of income the injured party sustains. You may also be required to pay for pain, suffering, or any emotional distress caused by the injury. The financial damages caused by a dog bite can be devastating to both the injured party and the owner of the dog.

If an owner knows their dog is prone to bite, they can be held negligent and made to be responsible for injuries caused by their dog. They will have to pay huge punitive damages as well.

In my practice, I have seen many times that certain breeds are more prone to attack people. These attacks occur more to children than adults. These dog breeds include the following: German Sheperds and Sheperd mixes, Chow Chows, Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, Akitas, and Dalmatians.

Most homeowners' insurance policies cover injuries caused by dogs, but the more aggressive breeds listed above may be excluded from policies written recently by some companies. Make sure your breed is covered by your insurance policy. If your dog breed isn't included, and your dog injures someone, you will be liable for all costs.

Caution and common sense should be exercised by homeowners who have any breed of dog, particularly if it is a large breed, to ensure that it does not attack anyone. Here are some helpful tips:

1. A dog should always be walked on a leash, and large dogs should not be walked by young children who cannot properly control them.
2. Give your dog professional training.
3. Your dog should always be properly fenced in. Everyone's dog needs to be properly secured. This can include locked gates and sufficient fencing, while taking care to fill any dug out holes underneath.
4. Keep your dog away from any guests, especially small children.
5. Ensure that all screen doors and windows are locked and secure. (There once was an instance of a dog bolting through a screen door to attack a child.)
6. Be sure that your dog is current on their shots and vaccinations.
7. Before purchasing a dog, be sure to know that the breeder is reputable. Obtain the breeder's references. You may gain the knowledge that the dependable breeder has a record of breeding dogs skilled in the art of fighting. If the breeder refuses to give you references, then find another breeder
8. Make sure to keep a person from putting his or her face next to your dog's face.

Being the victim of a dog bite is not just tragic and traumatic, but it also can be costly for all parties involved. Use common sense and caution around friendly and unfriendly dogs. Just remember that any dog has the potential to do harm. So utilize common sense when around them.