Miley Cyrus Named In Dog Bite Lawsuit

Miley Cyrus has been named in a lawsuit involving her sister Brandi Cyrus, her dog and a Los Angeles model who claims that the dog viciously attacked and injured her and ruined her career.

According to a TMZ news report, model Yolande Ngom claims that Brandi Cyrus’s dog, Feather, attacked her in an apartment building where she and Brandi Cyrus live.

Miley’s company, Smiley Miley, Inc. owns Brandi’s apartment. Ngom says one of Miley’s employees was handling the dog and could not keep it under control.

Ngom alleged in the lawsuit that during the unprovoked attack, her right thigh was ripped open. She says the scars from the attack are so bad that she will never be able to work as a model ever again.

Ngom is suing Brandi and Miley Cyrus’s company for damages including medical bills and lost wages.

Dog Bite Statistics

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year. Almost one in five of those who are bitten (about 885,000 people) require medical attention for dog bite-related injuries and half of these are children.

The CDC also reports that in the year 2012, more than 27,000 people had to undergo cosmetic or reconstructive surgery as a result of being attacked by dogs.

Liability Issues

Based on this news report, it appears that the dog attack occurred in the apartment complex owned by Miley Cyrus where her sister and the dog live. Under California law, dog owners can be held liable for the injuries and damages their pets cause.

California’s Civil Code Section 3342 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.”

Injured dog bite victims can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, cost of reconstructive surgery, permanent injuries such as disfigurement or scarring, physical pain and emotional suffering.

Injured victims would also be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney who has successfully handled dog bite claims.

Bisnar Chase always offers a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.