Despite the fact that dogs are considered man’s greatest friend, if you spend enough time in an emergency department, you will eventually come across someone who has been attacked by a dog. Every day in the United States, approximately 1,000 people go to their local emergency department to be treated for dog bite injuries. Dogs also attack more than 4.7 million people in the United States every year.
Who bears the responsibility?
It is the dog owner’s responsibility to ensure that their dog does not cause injury or damage to others. Owners of hazardous dogs may still be held accountable regardless of whether or not they were aware that their dogs were dangerous. Last but not least, in many circumstances, the bodily harm and property damage caused by the dog will be covered by the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy.
It is not necessary for a victim to demonstrate that the owner was reckless or negligent. Dog owners should be aware that no matter how cautious you are in ensuring that your pet does not harm anyone, you may still be held accountable if your furry little companion bites another person.
Many other states adhere to the “one-bite” rule, which stipulates that an owner is only accountable if they knew their dog was dangerous or likely to bite at the time of the incident.
You are liable for any personal injury or property damage that your dog causes, regardless of whether or not you were aware that your dog was potentially harmful. In some cases, recovery may be rejected and you may be held accountable if you do any of the following:
1) The victim was the one who provoked the dog.
2) The victim was infringing on someone else’s property.
3) The danger was taken by the victim.
4) The victim was careless in allowing the dog to attack him.
My dog had acted inappropriately. Is it still my responsibility?
The damage that your dog has caused may not be your responsibility if your dog was provoked to bite someone else. A dog can be provoked in a variety of ways, depending on the situation. Provoking a dog can be accomplished in a variety of methods, including taunting, teasing, beating, holding, pulling, and grabbing it. Even seemingly innocuous behaviors can cause a dog to become agitated. When a person trips over a dog, or if a youngster embraces a dog and the dog reacts aggressively, it is feasible that the dog owner will not be held accountable for the incident.
When my dog bit someone who was trespassing on my property. Is it still my responsibility?
If your dog bites someone who is trespassing on your land, you may not be liable under the dog bite legislation; however, you may be liable under a premise of negligence if the dog bites someone who is on your property. People are deemed trespassers if they enter your land without your permission and are not invited to do so. However, a dog bite attorney would be needed for victims in this case since trespassing laws combined with dog bite-related laws can become complicated fast to analyze.