Northern California Accident Attorney Blog

SACRAMENTO COUNTY-- Sabrina Carrasco, a 9-year-old Sacramento girl underwent a third surgery on Tuesday following a horrific dog attack in an apartment complex lawn area at 7718 La Mancha Way, News10 reported. Witnesses at the scene saw Carrasco playing with her teenage cousin Joandra Solis, and two toddlers before being viscously mauled by a neighbor's pit bull/labrador mix dog at about 9 p.m. Saturday. Prior to the dog attack, the pit bull/labrador escaped a fenced yard and rushed toward the girls. Solis picked up the two toddlers and told Carrasco to stay still. Frightened for her life, Carrasco tried to runaway but it was too late. Gina Knepp, spokeswoman for the Sacramento City Animal Control, reported Carrasco suffered injuries to her head, shoulder, side and back. Carrasco was taken to the University of California Medical Center at Davis to undergo further treatment.

Ana Reyes, Carrasco's mother, explained that her daughter is very traumatized by the event and will never be the same. According to UC Davis Medical Center officials, Carrasco is in good condition, but her doctors say there could be damages to the nerves on her face.

As for the dog owner, who didn't want to be identified, stated he didn't take the necessary precaution of alerting the parents that the kids, including one of Carrasco's relatives were provoking the dog in the past by throwing rocks, shooting pellets, and taunting it. However, he is very sorry for what happened and knows the attack was inexcusable. The owner has voluntarily given up the dog to be put down on Tuesday.

Cause of the Dog Attack in Sacramento

The accident occurring on August 6th remains under investigation by authorities. However, based on the information provided by News10, UPI, and The Sacramento Bee, it is evident the young girl could not prevent or avoid this violent dog attack. Therefore, the dog owner may be at fault due possible negligence and witnesses seeing the dog escape his fenced yard three times during the day of the attack. The district attorney's office will determine whether to prosecute the dog owner.

Dog Bite Personal Injury Liability

Injuries from a dog bite, attack or mauling can have long lasting physical and emotional consequences, especially in children. Dog owners can be held liable for injuries their dog inflicts due to negligence, violation of the leash law or law prohibiting dogs from "running at large," and keeping a dog with knowledge of the its history of injuring people. In situations such as this one, where it appears the dog owner may be at fault, family members of the victim are well-advised to seek an experienced Sacramento dog bite injury lawyer. A knowledgeable and skilled attorney who understands the serious physical and emotional effects of animal attack injuries can help the family protect their legal rights and receive the maximum compensation for hospital treatment expenses, disfigurement, pain and suffering, and future medical care relating to this devastating dog attack.

Continue reading "Sacramento Girl Seriously Injured in Dog Attack " »

A 57-year-old male janitor who suffered dog bite injuries to his left hand and arm while working at a Motel 6 in Sacramento is seeking damages from Sacramento County. According to a Sacramento Bee article, the janitor was attacked by two pit bulls after Sacramento County detectives opened the door of a motel room containing the dogs.

During the janitor's civil trial, it was argued by the plaintiff's attorney that the detectives serving an arrest warrant on the pit bull dog owners at the motel failed to uphold their duty of keeping the janitor safe while knowing that the two pit bulls were on the loose. To further demonstrate the complexity of this Sacramento dog bite injury case, Sacramento County's attorney stated that the if the detectives did contribute to the janitor's injuries, it was only five percent and that 30 percent blame should be placed on the motel, and 60 percent to the dog owners.

While this particular case has unique circumstances, it serves as a reminder that dog bite injury litigation is not only complex, but that dog bite prevention awareness is something that needs to be more prominent. As friendly and loving as many dogs can be, unfamiliar dogs can quickly become aggressive. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people should not do the following:

• run from a dog or scream;


• approach an unfamiliar dog;


• pet a dog without letting is see and sniff you first;


• disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, or taking care of puppies; or


• make direct eye contact with a dog.

Dog bite injuries can require a victim to need extensive medical care and treatment, surgery, and can even cause serious scarring or disfigurement. Sacramento dog bite attorneys protect the rights of dog bite injury victims so that they can obtain the compensation they deserve from negligent parties.

Continue reading "Sacramento Pit Bull Attack Case Emphasizes Importance of Dog Bite Prevention Awareness" »