Summary
Highlights
A client's small dog was attacked by a pitbull in a public park. While trying to save his dog, the client had half of his pinky finger bitten off, requiring emergency surgery and ongoing medical care. The client's dog also sustained severe injuries and underwent multiple surgeries. This resulted in high medical bills for both the client and his dog.
The pitbull's owner was aware of the dog's aggressive history, as it had previously attacked another person. After the incident, the city council had the pitbull euthanized. The victim sought legal help, and the attorneys determined the pitbull owner was strictly liable under California law. The owner refused to cooperate or accept responsibility, and there was no insurance coverage for the incident.
A lawsuit was filed in Orange County Superior Court. The dog owner's continued refusal to litigate led to terminating sanctions and a judgment of approximately $330,000 against her. Despite the lack of insurance, an asset check revealed the defendant had sufficient equity in her home to cover the judgment.
The defense was given the option to secure a home equity loan or face forced sale of her home to satisfy the judgment, which was accruing 10% interest annually. Within two weeks, the defendant paid the full judgment and interest with a personal check. The video concludes by highlighting the life-changing nature of dog bites, noting that nearly 5 million dog bites occur annually in the U.S., with a significant number requiring medical attention, often involving children.