Two Bitten By Kim Richards’ Pit Bull
“Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Kim Richards’ pit bull has bitten at least two people, according to a RadarOnline report.
First, it was reported that Richards’ 18-year-old niece, Alexia, was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after the dog attacked her and left her with a puncture wound in the thumb.
RadarOnline also reported that an 80-year-old Las Vegas woman said to be a close friend of Richards, is filing a lawsuit against her after the dog viciously attacked her earlier this year.
Now, Richards is reportedly mulling over putting the dog down.
The elderly woman, identified as Kay Rozario was apparently attacked by the pit bull on March 20, 2014. The lawsuit states that Rozario was severely injured by the unprovoked attack, which happened in one of the guest rooms at Richards’s home.
Rozario told RadarOnline that the dog ripped her hand “down to the tendon.” She said she was soaked in blood.
Rozario said she had to spend more than two hours in the hospital and Richards did not offer to pay her medical bills. Rozario also said she was “sick from the trauma” of the dog attack for several weeks afterward.
Dog Attack Statistics
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 4.5 million Americans are bitten each year by dogs. Half of these victims are children.
One in five dog bites results in injuries that are serious enough to require medical attention. Almost one in five of those who are bitten, about 885,000 require medical attention for dog bite-related injuries.
In 2012 alone, more than 27,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery in the United States after a dog attack.
Rights of Visitors
Under California law, dog owners can be held liable for their pet’s actions, regardless of whether the attack occurs on their property or not.
When a visitor or guest is attacked by the property owner’s dog, the property owner (also the dog owner in this case) can be held financially liable for the victim’s injuries, damages and losses.
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 victims can seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, permanent injuries such as scarring and disfigurement, pain and suffering and economic distress.
The experienced personal injury attorneys of Bisnar Chase will be able to advise victims and their families regarding their legal rights and options.