House Painter Bitten by Dog…
Mission Viejo: The Big Problem of Dog Bites and Dog Attacks in Mission Viejo, California
by Jon Mitchell Jackson/ Jackson & Wilson
www.MissionViejoDogBiteLawyer.com
2009 Orange County Trial Lawyer of the Year
Each year dozens of people who live in Mission Viejo, California, become dog bite victims. Across the United States, almost 5,000,000 people are bitten or attacked by dogs and 334,000 dog bite and dog attack victims require emergency medical treatment.
Most Mission Viejo dog bite and dog attack victims are not aware of the fact that on a daily basis, more than 1,000 dog bite and dog attack victims are treated in hospital emergency rooms such as Mission Viejo Medical Center and Saddleback Hospital. About 15-20 of these dog bite attacks result in death.
Dog bites and dog attacks result in approximately 44,000 facial injuries each year with the face and hands being the most injured body parts. This represents more than 1,000 emergency room visits each day.
Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States seeks medical attention for a dog bite. Most of the Mission Viejo dog bite and dog attack victims are children and nationally, children are injured more than anyone else (about 60 percent of all dog bite or dog attack victims). Male patients slightly outnumber females.
Mission Viejo’s dog bite and dog attack figures add to the approximate 800,000 dog bites per year in the United States that require medical treatment. With the victims who are children, most of them are bitten on the face. And also as in Mission Viejo, about 70 percent of dog bites occur on the owner’s property or in a victim’s neighborhood.
Strict liability law provides that the Mission Viejo dog bite owner is liable for the damages suffered by any Mission Viejo resident who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place located in Mission Viejo. This includes the dog owner’s property located in Mission Viejo, regardless of the prior viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of that viciousness. Contrary to what many people believe, there is no one bite rule in Mission Viejo or California in general.
In Mission Viejo, a person who keeps or has control of an animal (including a dog) may be held liable under the dangerous animal rule and for negligence for all sustained injuries and damages to other Mission Viejo residents. This may apply even if the dog is partly under the care of others.
It is important to note that more than half of all dog bite and dog attack victims in Mission Viejo are children who are usually attacked in the face. For every fatal dog bite in the United States, there are about 230,000 bites that are not treated by a physician. Most Mission Viejo dog bite victims fail to seek medical attention at either Mission Hospital or Saddleback Hospital.
About 40 percent of all Mission Viejo residents own at least one dog and this figure also applies to other cities across America. This means that there are more than 55 million dogs in the United States. And in Mission Viejo, a majority of dog bite attacks happen at home or at a neighbors house in the presence of family and friends.
In Mission Viejo, Rottweillers and Pit Bulls lead the pack in numbers when it comes to dog bite maiming and deaths. Eight out of ten dog bites in Mission Viejo involve a male dog. In the United States, dog bite and dog attack related losses exceed $1 billion dollars per year!
Jon Mitchell Jackson is a Mission Viejo Dog Bite lawyer and in 2009 was named an Orange County Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association. Mitch is the founding partner and Senior Litigation Partner of Jackson and Wilson, Inc., a top AV rated firm by Martindale-Hubbell. The firm is also listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, an exclusive listing reserved for the best law firms in the United States. This recent award follows several earlier recognitions this year naming Mitch as a Southern California Super Lawyer and, a rating of 10.0 or Superb by the national AVVO lawyer rating system. Mitch also serves as a Judge Pro Tem with the Orange County Superior Court and in his spare time, enjoys Rotary International. Mitch invites potential clients, family, friends, and fellow Rotarians to visit his web site and say hello. www.MissionViejoDogBiteLawyer.com
Mission Viejo Dog Bite Emergency Room Victims
Getting Excellent Representation in Dog Bite Cases
Mission Viejo, California Dog Bite Case: The Big Problem of Dog Bites and Dog Attacks in Mission Viejo, California
by: Jon Mitchell Jackson/ Jackson & Wilson
www.MissionViejoDogBiteLawyer.com
2009 Orange County Trial Lawyer of the Year
Each year dozens of people who live in Mission Viejo, California, become dog bite victims. Across the United States, almost 5,000,000 people are bitten or attacked by dogs and 334,000 dog bite and dog attack victims require emergency medical treatment.
Most Mission Viejo dog bite and dog attack victims are not aware of the fact that on a daily basis, more than 1,000 dog bite and dog attack victims are treated in hospital emergency rooms such as Mission Viejo Medical Center and Saddleback Hospital. About 15-20 of these dog bite attacks result in death.
Dog bites and dog attacks result in approximately 44,000 facial injuries each year with the face and hands being the most injured body parts. This represents more than 1,000 emergency room visits each day.
Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States seeks medical attention for a dog bite. Most of the Mission Viejo dog bite and dog attack victims are children and nationally, children are injured more than anyone else (about 60 percent of all dog bite or dog attack victims). Male patients slightly outnumber females.
Mission Viejo’s dog bite and dog attack figures add to the approximate 800,000 dog bites per year in the United States that require medical treatment. With the victims who are children, most of them are bitten on the face. And also as in Mission Viejo, about 70 percent of dog bites occur on the owner’s property or in a victim’s neighborhood.
Strict liability law provides that the Mission Viejo dog bite owner is liable for the damages suffered by any Mission Viejo resident who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place located in Mission Viejo. This includes the dog owner’s property located in Mission Viejo, regardless of the prior viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of that viciousness. Contrary to what many people believe, there is no one bite rule in Mission Viejo or California in general.
In Mission Viejo, a person who keeps or has control of an animal (including a dog) may be held liable under the dangerous animal rule and for negligence for all sustained injuries and damages to other Mission Viejo residents. This may apply even if the dog is partly under the care of others.
It is important to note that more than half of all dog bite and dog attack victims in Mission Viejo are children who are usually attacked in the face. For every fatal dog bite in the United States, there are about 230,000 bites that are not treated by a physician. Most Mission Viejo dog bite victims fail to seek medical attention at either Mission Hospital or Saddleback Hospital.
About 40 percent of all Mission Viejo residents own at least one dog and this figure also applies to other cities across America. This means that there are more than 55 million dogs in the United States. And in Mission Viejo, a majority of dog bite attacks happen at home or at a neighbors house in the presence of family and friends.
Jon Mitchell Jackson is a Mission Viejo Dog Bite lawyer and in 2009 was named an Orange County Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association. Mitch is the founding partner and Senior Litigation Partner of Jackson and Wilson, Inc., a top AV rated firm by Martindale-Hubbell. The firm is also listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, an exclusive listing reserved for the best law firms in the United States. This recent award follows several earlier recognitions this year naming Mitch as a Southern California Super Lawyer and, a rating of 10.0 or Superb by the national AVVO lawyer rating system. Mitch also serves as a Judge Pro Tem with the Orange County Superior Court and in his spare time, enjoys Rotary International. Mitch invites potential clients, family, friends, and fellow Rotarians to visit his web site and say hello. www.MissionViejoDogBiteLawyer.com
Behavior Problems: Dogs That Lick Too Much
The first licking experienced by a puppy comes from its dam even before the pup’s eyes are open. Licking is used to groom the pup and, after feeding, to cause urination and defecation. It is doubtful that a young pup consciously considers licking a dominant behavior. However, the act of licking can acquire various other meanings to puppies as they mature and gain feedback from other animals (including people) they lick. Licking by neonatal pups is usually aimed at the dam’s mouth and, at least in wild canines, elicits a gratifying regurgitation of food by the dam for its offspring.
Licking another animal can broadly be classified as care-seeking behavior. However, in some females and apparently “feminized” males, licking may occur as a genuine mutual grooming gesture, which could be considered dominant behavior in such situations. When one dog tries to lick the genitals of another, the behavior is considered submissive. This is usually practiced by submissive pack members toward their dominant counterparts.
Licking seems to acquire different meanings when the puppy is brought into the human group. The significance of licking then depends on the type of feedback provided by the pup or its owners. The old idea that dogs lick our hands to benefit from the salt on our skin rarely applies to licking problems. Rather, the problem generally involves a submissive dog and a permissive owner. In these cases, early episodes of licking are permitted (some people feel genuinely flattered when their dog licks them) and the dog appears to enjoy the owner’s response.
In many cases, licking is a factor in another type of problem behavior. These usually involve the dog’s use of licking to dominate the owner’s attentions or to demonstrate its dominant feelings relative to the owner.
How Can Licking Be Prevented?
Licking is a problem only when the owner is present. Therefore licking is usually easily stopped merely by telling the dog not to do it or by moving away and avoiding it. After a few days or weeks of this rejection, the problem disappears. However, this procedure does not correct the basis of the problem, that is, attempts to dominate the owner.
In addition to discouraging licking, the dog must be taught to respond to commands, and owner adjustments made if the dog is “coddled” or otherwise doted on. When it seeks petting or tries to dominate the owner, it should be given a simple command, such as Sit, and then petted briefly as a reward for obedience.
It is recommended that you use some intervening stimulus when the dog begins to pester you. Whether this involves introduction of a chewable toy that the pet is urged to fetch, or a sharp sound, the goal is to divert the animal’s mind off licking and onto something else. During the initial stages of correction, there may be seen many types of substitute behavior, such as whining, pacing or self-licking. If ignored, this behavior usually disappears in a few days.
The Bullmastiff
Bullmastiff History and origin:
The Bullmastiff is believed to have been evolved between 200 or 300 years ago by crossing the Mastiff with the Bulldog. He was used as a guard dog against poachers (who were hunting on large estates) without actually harming them. The Bullmastiff was bred to be courageous, quick, strong, and willing to challenge humans.
Description:
The Bullmastiff stands 24 to 27 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 100 and 135 pounds. He has a powerful, heavily muscled and boned body and a short, low-maintenance shedding coat that needs regular brushing. Ears may be cropped or uncropped. The color may be fawn, reddish brown, or brindle; a small white patch on the chest is acceptable.
About the Bullmastiff:
The Bullmastiff is a trustworthy, affectionate, lazy, powerful breed with a natural instinct of guarding his home and family. These dogs are usually very suspicious of strangers and other dogs and are one of the most territorial of breeds. Though normally gentle with children in their own family, Bullmastiffs can be unpredictable with friends, relatives, and co-workers. Keep in mind that this breed was designed to challenge human beings and will do so without hesitation if a threat is perceived. When a Bullmastiff becomes aggressive, it is explosive and unstoppable. This breed is capable of killing another dog in seconds, so do not consider letting him off leash. The only way to minimize this instinctive behavior is to socialize and train the dog from day one, allowing the Bullmastiff puppy to interact with people and dogs in a controlled, positive environment. Males should be neutered by the eighth month. Females tend to be less aggressive and are quite more timid than males. The Bullmastiff is normally content to lie around the house. Though less energetic than the Boxer, he does tend to be slightly more active than the Mastiff. Training should begin early and should be firm but not overbearing, as this breed matures slowly and can become worried if pushed too hard. Patience and consistency are required, as well as positive, confident attitude. Spoiling will create a pushy dog that lacks confidence, a combination that could be dangerous. Mature children are permissible provided absolutely no roughhousing is permitted. This breed eats large quantities of food. He usually lives ten to twelve years, and is susceptible to bloat, hip dysplasia, eyelid abnormalities, gastrointestinal disorders, and respiratory problems. He snores and drools and is often flatulent.
Feeding:
Recommended feeding for this breed is at least 2 ½ cans (13.3oz) of a branded meaty product with biscuit added in equal amount or 5 cupfuls of a dry, complete food.
Ideal home:
A large house in the country with a fenced yard or kennel is preferred, though this breed is easygoing in the home. The owner of a Bullmastiff must be a strong, easygoing, confident leader who is fully aware of the power of this breed and who does not project worry or concern. Time must be available to train, socialize, and handle this breed. Though very affectionate with his family, the Bullmastiff may be unpredictable and aggressive with your children’s friends. Spoilers and weak, nervous, or overbearing people should avoid this breed, as should the elderly and the disabled. The Bullmastiff needs regular exercise; a child or lightweight person may have a hard time controlling the lead.
The Bernese Mountain Dog
History and origin of the Bernese Mountain Dog:
Originated in Switzerland, the Bernese Mountain Dog was bred for herding, guarding, drafting, and droving. His large, sturdy frame and long coat allowed him to perform in cold mountainous environments.
Description:
The Bernese Mountain Dog stands 23 to 27.5 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 70 and 100 pounds. He is a large breed and is similar to the Golden Retriever in structure, only heavier and bigger-boned. The shedding coat is medium-long, wavy, glossy, and thick and requires regular brushing to keep it in good condition. The Bernese is tricolored, primarily black with rust and white markings on the chest, muzzle, feet, and forehead.
About the Bernese Mountain Dog:
This large, beautiful, athletic dog is easily trained and makes a great watchdog and a good family pet. Though playful and gregarious as a pup, he tends to become more reserved and guarded as he matures. He is normally affectionate to his owner, but can be very suspicious of strangers. Some are very timid to the point of being phobic. This potential for extreme shyness can lead to a fear-based aggression that is difficult to modify. This breed also possesses a dominant, head-strong temperament. Stubbornness normally calls for a firm, consistent training technique, but many Bernese, particularly the females, can slip into a panicky mind-set if pushed, sometimes resulting in a bite. This tendency is usually a result of poor breeding practices, and may not be reversible.
A well bred Bernese Mountain Dog is trainable, but patience and precision are crucial. The Bernese needs daily exercise and is happier in a rural environment. Because of the potential for aggression, this breed is not recommended for families with children. Early socialization is important from day one, as well as handling and grooming. The Bernese Mountain Dog lives only ten to twelve years and can suffer from hip dysplasia and bloat. Anyone interested in this breed should visit numerous breeders and closely observe the parents and litter mates.
Feeding:
Recommended feeding for this breed is 1 ½ – 2 ½ cans (13.3oz) of high-quality meaty product with biscuit added in equal part or 5 cupfuls of a complete, dry dog food.
Ideal home:
A house with a fenced yard is important for the Bernese Mountain Dog. A strong, patient leader is mandatory, as well as early training, handling, and socialization. Families with children should at present avoid this breed, as should nervous, cautious, and over-bearing people. The elderly and the disabled may not be able to handle the Bernese Mountain Dog.
The Alaskan Malamute
History and origin: The Alaskan Malamute is named after a native tribe called the “Mahlemuts.” He is closely related to other Spitz-types such as the Samoyed and has been used as a sled dog. Bred for strength, endurance, and independence, he has the ability to tolerate extremely low temperatures. Today the Alaskan Malamute is used in sled-pulling competitions, some being able to pull a sled weighing close to a ton.
Description: The Alaskan Malamute stands 23 to 26 inches at the shoulder and usually weighs 75 to 125 pounds, while some are even larger. He is thick-boned and has a large, muscular body. The weather-resistant coat is thick, heavy, and of medium length. The undercoat is dense and insulative. He sheds abundantly year- round, particularly in early summer. Regular brushing will keep his coat in good condition. The color may be black-and-white with an off-white undercoat, red-and-white, or gray-and-white with an off-white undercoat.
About the breed: This is a sociable, affectionate, fast, strong, intelligent, and powerful breed who is always friendly and good-natured but somewhat stubborn. Usually good with children , the Alaskan Malamute does not make a good watchdog, but he does have a high prey drive and will show aggression toward other dogs. He can be impetuous, dominant, and challenging, and is not the most cooperative breed with regard to obedience training.
Early training is important due to the breed’s size, level of dominance, and aggression toward animals. The “Come” command is the most difficult to teach a Malamute because of his independent, free-thinking nature, though the females tend to be less dominant and aggressive. A firm, consistent training technique must be used with this sometimes resistant breed.
He tends to be quite vocal and can be very destructive if not exercised daily. Though he is friendly, keep in mind that this large breed can knock over and hurt a child during play. No roughhousing or chase games should be tolerated. The Malamute loves to dig and will create holes all over your yard. A large kennel with a concrete floor will eliminate this problem.
This breed can be left outside during even the coldest winter. Although they are almost always good-natured, there are a few cases of aggression toward people with this breed, particularly from the males. Once this behavior occurs, it is very difficult to modify and usually results in the destruction of the animal.
The Alaskan Malamute lives for only ten to twelve years and can suffer from hip dysplasia, shoulder problems, and bloat. He loves the cold and will suffer in warmer climates. He needs exercise, but should not be run long distances due to his weight and susceptibility to hip and shoulder problems. This breed eats large amounts of food and can develop diarrhea if the diet is changed too rapidly.
Altering can lengthen the life of an Alaskan Malamute and help prevent aggression and other behavioral problems.
Feeding: Recommended feeding for this breed is 1 ½ – 2 ½ cans (13.3oz) of high-quality meaty product with biscuit added in equal part or 5 cupfuls of a complete, dry dog food.
Ideal home: This big, independent breed needs a house with a fenced yard or kennel. He needs a firm, consistent leader who is confident and physically able to deal with a powerful breed. Training should begin early and should include daily socialization, handling, and grooming. Spoiling, cautious, and overbearing persons should avoid the Alaskan Malamute, as should the elderly and the disabled.