California Animal Attack Information

Americans love pets, and bringing animals into our homes to be a part of the family. More than 71.1 million American households include at least one pet, as reported by the American Pet Products Manufacturers annual survey. In numbers, there are 88.3 million cats, 74.8 million dogs, 24.3 million small animals, 13.8 million horses, and 13.4 million reptiles in American homes. This does not include exotic animals.

With so many animals in our homes and neighborhoods, it should not come as a surprise that fatal animal attacks can be so common among us. Though dog bites are the most common, cat scratches can be deep and lead to infection, horse kicks can leave serious fractures or even brain injuries, and boa constrictors and other reptiles can strangle victims as well.

While dog bites account for 15 to 20 deaths per year in the US, other animal attacks cause deaths as well. Many horses can cause disfiguration and death, which may happen in San Diego County's spacious back country where many land owners enjoy riding horses on property and off. Many horse trainers always recommend staying "a kick away" from a horse. Even small, younger horses have potential for great bodily damage.

California is home to many type of venomous rattlesnakes, which can be owned by some avid reptile lovers. Though they hibernate in the winter months, they can always be around, especially on those great desert hikes in San Diego East County.

Thankfully the chances for many of these potential injuries remains low, but they do occur, and it would be wise to be fully prepared to guard yourself from them, or gain knowledge and know how to act should you find yourself a victim. Always act fast, and document whatever facts you can.