A woman is recovering from serious dog bite injuries that she suffered on December 16, 2009 in a Laguna Niguel home. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the woman, who has not yet been identified, is lucky to be alive after the vicious dog attack. She was apparently in the back yard of the Orange County home, when the Shiba Inu started to maul her. Someone heard the woman yelling out for help and called police, which helped save her life. An Orange County Sheriff's deputy arrived on scene and shot and killed the dog. The woman sustained severe injuries that will require extensive surgery. The dog is being described as "vicious."

My heart goes out to this woman who has been severely injured as a result of this vicious dog attack. I hope and pray for her fast and complete recovery. She will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Based on this news report, it is not clear whether the woman was in her own backyard or visiting someone else's residence. We also do not know if she was attacked by her own dog. The dog, which attacked the woman, is described as a Shiba Inu, a breed that was developed for hunting in Japan. If the victim was a visitor to this Orange County home and was legally on the property, the dog owner could be held liable for her serious injuries.

California Dog Bite Law

California has a "strict liability statute" when it comes to California dog bite cases, which means a dog owner is responsible for personal injuries or damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog in a public place or in private property, provided they are there legally. In California, a person bitten by a dog sues in state court under California’s Civil Code Section 3342, which states: "The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness."

Significant Expenses in Dog Bite Cases

A dog bite victim typically bears a lot of expenses for medical care, surgery and additional cosmetic surgery. There is also a lot of emotional trauma involved with dog attacks. Some victims even need psychological counseling. A number of victims are also, left with lifelong physical scars that cannot be repaired. If you have been attacked and injured by a vicious dog, please consult with an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer to find out more information about your legal rights and options.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.