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ANIMAL WATCH - A South Los Angeles resident, Megan Hayward, told KTTV earlier this month that she was viciously attacked by her neighbor's Pit Bull, but when she called Los Angeles Animal Services and the Los Angeles Police Department, she was told by both there was “nothing they could do.”
"There was no alarm. There was no barking. He just ran straight toward me. I didn't even have time to react. He latched onto my arm immediately," Megan Hayward told FOX 11 News.
She shares the outside space at her rented home with the owners of the dog, she explained in the interview after the terrifying attack earlier this month, adding that this is a configuration in much of the neighborhood.
The Pit Bull’s owner, Antonio Rodrigo responded in an interview with FOX11 that the incident was a “freak accident,” adding that the Pit Bull is not a vicious dog.”“I don’t know what could have been done unless I was there in that moment to stop him, We’re trying to mitigate every single situation that we can.”
Following is the California Civil Code on dog-bite liability:
CA CIVIL CODE SEC 3342
Liability of Dog Owner for Damages Suffered From Dog Bite
“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. A person is lawfully upon the private property of such owner within the meaning of this section when he is on such property in the performance of any duty imposed upon him by the laws of this state or by the laws or postal regulations of the United States, or when he is on such property upon the invitation, express or implied, of the owner.” (Read more here.)
VICTIM SAYS, “MOST OF HER INJURIES WERE SEVERE.”
Hayward told Fox 11 that “most of her injuries were severe,” yet the Pit Bull was never quarantined, never impounded, and remains in the same shared space, with no penalty to the owner.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FILING A REPORT OF A DOG BITE IN L.A.?
She said she “had filed a report with Los Angeles Animal (LAAS) and she called LAPD, and was told that, since the attack happened on private property, there’s nothing they can do.”
This is important information for anticipated visitors to Los Angeles during the Olympics, with safety in the City already becoming a topic of concern worldwide.
She did not say whether she was advised to call any other agency or make any further report, although it would seem that—since the dog was in the City of Los Angeles—there should have been concern by LAAS about it being licensed and having a current rabies vaccination.
DISPARITY IN CITY NEIGHBORHOODS?
"It really just illuminates the disparities that happen in densely populated neighborhoods in Los Angeles. If you go up and down this block or around this neighborhood, you'll see a lot of shared common areas for tenants," the bite victim stated.
She told FOX 11 that she “is disappointed LAPD and Animal Services did nothing to help, and says she feels like a prisoner in her own home.”
It is understandable that this Los Angeles resident feels disenfranchised and confused. A Google search for “what to do in case of a dog attack in Los Angeles City” took my inquiry directly to a list of LAAS shelters but provided no information on what services are provided or what options are available to victims of an attack.
However, Meghan said she did contact Los Angeles City Animal Services – both directly and through the LAPD but did not receive the information that ONLY the County of Los Angeles responds to reports which require providing medical treatment. (This information is not on the LAAS website.)
IMPORTANT ANIMAL-BITE INFORMATION FOR L.A. CITY RESIDENTS/VISITORS
The CA Veterinary Health Board site states that, “In Los Angeles County, ALL ANIMAL BITES to people (except from rodents and rabbits) are reportable immediately and must contain information on the animal's location.” It notes that bat bites can be too small to detect, but “all bat-human or bat-domestic animal interactions should be reported.” Wild mammal (e.g. coyote, raccoon, opossum, skunk) bites are also included.“
To report bites in any part of Los Angeles County other than in the cities of Long Beach, Pasadena, or Vernon, contact Los Angeles County Veterinary Public Health and Rabies Control.”
Who has to report? All people with knowledge of the bite. Locally most reports come from animal control agencies, physicians, and veterinarians, but anyone may report a bite.
What Happens When I Report A Bite? When reporting a bite, be prepared to give details about the date of the bite, the victim, and on the biting animal (such as location, species, breed, and circumstance of bite). These details are very important in investigating risk of rabies transmission.
If the animal is located, it is evaluated for rabies either by a quarantine and observation period, or by testing its body after death. Most reported bites are inflicted by dogs and cats.”
IS LOS ANGELES CITY ANIMAL SERVICES RESPONDING TO CALLS ABOUT DOG ATTACKS?
On a weekend afternoon, a common time for family interaction and dog bites, I made two calls to the LA Animal Services’ lines listed on their website to see if contact could be made in case of a dog attack, At the first one, I heard a list of what the Department does NOT do, and how I can get services only at certain times.
I called a second LAAS shelter, and the 311 operator answered and asked pertinent questions. Then she diligently connected me to a phone at the shelter—but, although it was answered, a male voice merely provided the recorded name of an officer and no other information—there was no instruction as to what to do or where to call in an emergency; like a dog attack, and apparently no human was available at that time.
Neither of these situations is reflective of the quality of service that would be provided if officers were available; however, neither provided any alternatives other than to continue dialing 311, hoping to get a different response. This is not the fault of staff--this is a management issue!
Regardless of the economic status of a community, all residents pay for the L.A. Animal Services Department—directly or through higher rents and other taxes which contribute to its budget.
The City Council and the Mayor recently boasted increasing the LAAS budget for improved and expanded services to silence justified complaints regarding animal care by critics and volunteers at City shelters. But this placating increase in funding does not target the tremendous managerial neglect and lack of leadership that permeates L.A. Animal Services. Nor does it effectively address the fact that City residents, like Megan Taylor, should not have to live in fear.
(Phyllis M. Daugherty is a former Los Angeles City employee and a long-time animal welfare advocate. A contributor to CityWatchLA, she is known for her investigative reporting on animal shelter operations, misuse of public funds, and the dangers of poorly regulated pet adoption policies. She is a strong proponent of public safety in animal control, advocating for stricter oversight of aggressive dog breeds, especially pit bulls, and for breed-specific legislation).
