Pet Injury Liability

Pets are wonderful companions and friends, often providing stress and health benefits that cannot be found anywhere else.  However, those same pets are not responsible adults who can control their actions or emotions in all situations.  There may come a circumstance when even the best pet loses control and attacks or bites someone.  There are other circumstances where a good pet goes bad and becomes a danger not only to others but also to their owners.  No matter what the cause, the owner or holder of a dog that attacks another person may be liable for any injuries or damage that dog might cause, either to other pets or people, depending on the location and the local laws.  It can be vital for the victim of such a dog attack to contact an accident attorney immediately to learn their rights and to acquire the appropriate representation.

One Bite Law

Some 18 states have one-bite laws, which apply to all dog-inflicted injuries, not just bites.  In those states, a dog is not considered dangerous and their owner in not held liable for the first injury their dog inflicts.  However, once it has been proven that a dog has injured someone previously, the owner can be considered liable for any other injuries the dog may cause.

In the other 32 states and the District of Columbia, dog bites and attacks are covered under strict liability rules.  In those states, while the specific laws may vary slightly, a dog’s owner is held liable for damages from even one attack or bite.

In addition, a dog may be labeled as “dangerous” in some states after one or more bites.  Some states require special muzzling in public and special cages on property in order to protect the public.  If injuries inflicted by the dog are serious enough, the dog may even have to be put down.  Of course, in these severe instances, it is likely that the dog’s owner will also find himself or herself being sued for any injuries or damages.

Dog Control

There are other elements of pet and dog control that vary by state.  Some of the elements may include:

• Leash laws, requiring dogs to be on a leash of a certain length when in specified public areas
• Only allowing dogs to run leash-free in specified dog parks
• Owner control of a dog, whether or not that dog is required to be on a leash

Owner Liability

The problem with many dog bite cases is that it can be difficult to prove whether a dog was ever dangerous prior to an attack.  Skilled dog attack lawyers can help victims find any existing evidence and prove their case, if one exists.  Their experience in this field may provide the representation a victim needs to recover damages, medical costs, pain and suffering, and lost wages if they were injured.  They may also be able to recover vet costs if their dog was injured by a dangerous and unprovoked dog attack.