Dogs are generally sweet beings and deserve the utmost attention and love. Those who consider themselves responsible dog owners and lovers will tell you that there's no such thing as a bad dog.
However, if you come across the one that shows signs of aggression then you need to ask yourself what led to this. In most instances, the owner is the one who is responsible for this type of behavior.
Now, you need to distinguish dog nipping your legs, or hands, from a real, and potentially serious dog bite. If you’ve been recently bitten by someone else’s doggo and you would like to know what you’re supposed to do in these types of situations, then this informative guide is going to provide you with some helpful instructions.
Is The Dog Owner Automatically Liable?
This is probably the most common question as far as this situation is concerned, and the answer to it is no. How come? Well, that’s because there are numerous situations in which a dog bite can be perceived as justifiable.
For example, if a person trespassed on your property and your fur baby perceived them as a threat, the first thing they'll do is attack them. And this completely makes sense since no one has the right to enter your property without your permission.
When Is The Dog Owner Liable Then?
Dog owners should be held accountable if their dog injured someone in these instances. For example, if the dog owner was aware of the fact that their pet is prone to causing injuries and does nothing about it. Besides that, there are three types of law that impose responsibility on dog owners:
- Dog-bite statute – The dog owner is immediately held accountable for any type of injury if the dog bit someone without being provoked
- One-bite rule – In some cases, the owner isn't perceived as liable if the dog bite occurred for the first time, however, if the animal has already showcased aggressive behavior, then the owner is definitely held liable. When it comes to the one-bite rule, you need to know that there are a lot of states that do not accept this rule, meaning that the dog owner is going to be held accountable even if this is the first time that dog bites someone.
- Negligence law – If the dog owner isn't capable of properly controlling their fur buddy and is generally considered irresponsible, then they are liable for sure.
So what can you do if you are bitten by a dog? If that's the case, then you should seek help from a dog bite lawyer. If you currently reside in Georgia, then a dog bite attorney in Atlanta might just help you in these types of situations. So how can you benefit from this legal expert?
First and foremost, they are going to help you identify everyone who's held accountable. That's one of the first steps toward proper compensation. Bear in mind that the compensation is going to cover not only your medical expenses but will compensate you for all the pain and suffering that you've been experiencing.
Don’t forget that a seasoned dog bite advocate is perfectly familiar with all the essential local laws, which is going to allow them to proceed accordingly and ensure you are fairly compensated.
Is There Any Other Exception To Dog Owner Liability?
Yes, there is. Aside from the one that was previously mentioned, there are some other instances in which a dog owner isn’t perceived as responsible. For example, if your pet bites someone after being provoked, then that definitely doesn’t define the owner as accountable.
Another example of it is when someone is trying to break up two dogs that are fighting each other, and if one of them bites them, that doesn't make the dog owner liable. This just goes to show that there are some situations in which the dog owners aren't responsible, however, that's something that your attorney can help you figure out.
Elements That Can Establish Liability
If you sustained an injury from a dog bite, or your property was damaged, then it’s of huge importance to gather all your medical records, and various other bills and paperwork that are going to help you substantiate the claim.
To make sure that you provide a safe environment not only for yourself, but for anyone else as well, then you, as a dog owner must do whatever is in your power to decrease the risk of dog bites, or any other type of aggressive behavior.
In these instances, you need to take various preventative measures to ensure anyone can coexist with your dog (or anyone else's). Furthermore, there are a lot of things that define someone as a responsible and good pet owner.
This doesn't mean that you should only be affectionate with your fur buddy and provide him with the bare necessities, such as food, water, shelter, and many others. This also means that you are obligated to treat your pet properly in every sense.
Keep in mind that a dog (or any other animal for that matter) that’s neglected can result in aggressive behavior, and if you’re aware of it, and do nothing about it, then you are certainly held accountable.
Who Should Cover The Expenses That Are Related To The Dog Bite?
If you were bitten by a dog and you sustained severe injuries from it, then a dog owner is the one who is supposed to pay for these expenses. When we say a dog owner, we refer to homeowner insurance.
In some instances, (although very rarely) insurance companies will refuse to cover these expenses if certain dog breeds caused them. Luckily, that's something that doesn't occur very frequently.
What If Your Dog Was On A Leash?
If your dog was on a leash, yet was on someone else's property and bitten them or nipped at them, then you are going to be held responsible because you were supposed to take certain precautions to ensure none of this happens.
Being a dog owner comes with numerous responsibilities and one of them is to recognize on time whether your dog is aggressive or not and do whatever you can to ensure they never attack anyone. Those who've dealt with these situations should go through this article to learn more about the necessary steps that need to be taken.