The pet-loving citizens of the San Francisco Bay Area welcome millions of dogs into their homes. Unfortunately, this cosmopolitan region that includes Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo Counties has become a symbol of the dog bite epidemic that has left no corner of the nation untouched. Dog bites are at an all time high, and the number of victims of these tragic accidents is likely to continue to rise in the future.

In fact, San Francisco is now enforcing a new law that orders owners to spay or neuter all pit bulls and pit bull mixes in the city due to the danger that these animals pose to society at large. The new law comes in the wake of several chilling stories of dog attack victims in the Bay Area, including the June mauling death of a 12-year-old boy, Nicholas Faibish and the 2001 fatal mauling of Diane Whipple, was killed at the entrance to her Pacific Heights apartment by two Presa Canario dogs owned by her neighbors.

Almost five million people are bitten by dogs in the U.S. every year and California leads the pack with the most injuries and fatalities. A mushrooming number of these victims are forced to seek medical care in emergency rooms because of the scope of the trauma. In fact, dog bites are the second leading injury needing medical care in state emergency rooms. Harrowing attacks also have extensive economic costs as expensive medical expenses and money lost when work is missed can be overwhelming.

If you or someone close to you has been involved in a dog bite injury of any kind in the Bay Area, time could run out before justice is served. California and others like it are called Strict Liability states, which in essence means that the dog owner is legally liable for your profound physical and emotional suffering. However, the particulars of state law are exceedingly complex and need the counsel of a well-versed dog bite attorney to make certain that you get the compensation you deserve. Don't wait - call today.