I will have this done,
So I order it done;
Let my will replace reasoned judgment.
-Juvenal
Want to file a dog bite report in San Diego? Here’s what you need to know.
Call San Diego Animal Services at (619) 767-2675 to report a bite. Make sure you get the name and any contact info of the dog owner, and remember what the dog looked like. Hopefully you took pictures of the dog. Provide as much information as you can. Without helpful information from you, it’s unlikely they will be able to identify and locate the dog owner.
The animal control representative should take down your information and create a report. Make sure you get a report number.
After the report is made, an animal control officer should go to the dog owner’s address. If the address is unknown, the officer should go to the area of the attack and try to locate the dog based on its description. Animal Control also investigates reports of animal abuse, cruelty, or neglect, as well as reports of stray animals, so it may take time to complete the investigation. Apparently, San Diego Animal Services investigates more than 6,000 bites per year. That’s 16 a day.
At anytime you should be able to contact them and request records using the report number. The records should show you everything that occurred, from the time you called to the time the officer completed his or her investigation. You must complete the Request for Copy of Records and mail, fax, or email it. The instructions for each are on the form. You can also complete an Authorization to Release Medical Records. That may not be in your best interest, however, because it allows the County and the dog owner to see your medical records.
Here are some other things you should know:
- Both the person who was bitten and the dog owner must report the incident to Animal Control per San Diego County Code section 62.615; if the dog owner does not report the bite, then he or she is guilty of a misdemeanor;
- Dog owners are strictly liable for dog bites per Civil Code 3342;
- Dog owners must give his or her contact information and any information about the dog to the injured person per Penal Code 398;
- “Vicious dogs” are defined in Food and Agricultural Code 31603; and
- “Potentially dangerous dogs” are defined in Food and Agricultural Code 31602
Questions?
Contact Me for a free consultation, or learn more about representation by a Dog Bite Attorney
