LANCASTER, CA – A man has died after being mauled by two pit bulls in Lancaster. The incident occurred in a residential neighborhood where the victim was attacked by the dogs, which were reportedly not in their owner’s yard at the time.
According to a news report from ABC7, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene and found the victim with severe injuries. He was transported to a local hospital where he was tragically pronounced dead. Animal Control has since captured the two pit bulls involved in the attack. The dogs’ owner is reportedly cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
Legal Commentary
When a dog attack results in a fatality, the legal consequences for the owner are severe. While the owner in this case may face criminal charges, the victim’s family also has a clear path to hold them accountable in civil court through a wrongful death lawsuit. This is due to California’s “strict liability” dog bite statute.
Unlike most other types of personal injury cases, in a California dog bite case, the victim’s family does not need to prove that the owner was negligent or knew their dog was dangerous. Under California Civil Code § 3342, the owner is held strictly liable for the damages caused by their dog from the very first bite, as long as the victim was in a public place or lawfully on private property. The fact that the dogs were reportedly loose in a residential neighborhood places the legal responsibility squarely on the owner.
An experienced dog bite attorney would file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover damages on behalf of the surviving family members. This compensation is intended to cover economic losses, such as funeral expenses and the loss of the victim’s financial support, as well as non-economic damages for the profound loss of love, companionship, and guidance. The claim is typically made against the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance policy.
This tragic case is a devastating reminder of the immense responsibility that comes with owning a powerful dog breed. The law is clear: owners are fully accountable for the harm their animals cause.
Contact Manoukian Law for a free and confidential consultation.
