Innocent Bystander Attacked By K9 Police Dog In American Canyon
AMERICAN CANYON, CALIFORNIA (August 11, 2022) – An innocent bystander was bitten by a K9 police dog in American Canyon while police chased a suspect.
Napa County officials are saying that the incident began around 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. Police officers chased a 48-year-old suspect after he crashed his car on Highway 29 by Mini Drive.
At some point, the American Canyon Police Department released a K9 to help detain the suspect. But the dog went past the suspect’s vehicle and bit a 19-year-old man from Solano County.
The victim was taken to the hospital in order to receive treatment for bites on both of his hands. A full investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
Liability In American Canyon Dog Attacks
Dog attacks are far more common than many people may realize. According to the American Veterinary Association, “More than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States, and more than 800,000 receive medical attention for dog bites, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). At least half of those bitten are children.” There are a number of signs that a dog might bite you.
- The fur on the dog’s back may stand up.
- The dog may start licking its lips.
- The dog may tuck its tail between its legs.
- The dog may back itself into a corner.
California is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites. Pursuant to California Civil Code 3342, the owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by their dog – insofar as the person bitten is lawfully within a public or private place when the attack occurred including the home of the owner of the dog. It does not matter whether the dog had ever shown aggression in the past prior to attacking someone.
If the dog is owned by a police department, that police department could be liable for the attack. Generally speaking, police stations are liable for the wrongful actions of their officers – insofar as those officers were working within the course and scope of their job duties. Police dogs are very strong and they can have a bite strength equal to 1,500 – 1,800 pounds per square inch. Victims of dog bites tend to suffer serious and costly injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Infections
- Lacerations
- Organ damage
- Death
Any bystander that is attacked by a police dog may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. Sadly, police departments will often fight hard to deny liability for a police dog biting someone. A dog bite injury attorney can examine the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A California Police Dog Attack
We at TorkLaw extend our best wishes to the victim of this dog attack. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. The American Canyon Police Department should step forward and publicly apologize to the victim and accept responsibility for what happened.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured by a police dog? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that victims get the medical and financial support that they are entitled to. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
