Marcelino Moreno Jr. has filed a Placentia dog bite injury claim against the city. He is asking for $1 million. The 40-year-old Placentia resident contends that while hiding from cops, because there was an outstanding warrant in his name, Anaheim police dogs attacked him even though he wasn't resisting arrest and the officers were looking for someone else.
Moreno claims that he is the victim of excessive use of police force and his civil rights were violated, which is why he has filed a similar Orange County, California personal injury claim against the city of Anaheim. He says he submitted his Placentia injury claim because he wants to make sure the statute of limitations for filing one doesn't expire while he determines whether local cops should be held liable for the Anaheim police brutality incident.
Moreno says he was hospitalized for several days because of his dog bite injuries.
Dog Bite Injuries
While most dogs make great pets, there are those that cause serious injuries when biting, attacking, or mauling someone. In 2009, 30 people died from dog bite injuries. 368,000 dog attack victims end up in the ER every year because of their injuries.
California has a strict liability law when it comes to dog bites. A dog owner can be held liable for a dog attack even if he/she did not act negligently and the animal had never bitten anyone before. In certain cases, premise owners, including landlords, commercial property owners, and residential property owners, can also be held liable for a dog mauling that took place on their property even if they don't own the animal that was involved.
It is important that you speak with a Placentia dog bite attorney that knows how to handle California animal attack cases. For example, a liable party may argue that you were trespassing, engaged in conduct that provoked the dog attack, or that your injuries were not caused by the dog.
Man wants $1 million from Placentia for dog bite, OC Register, March 29, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Animal & Dog Law, Justia
Dog Bite Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
