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Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What exactly is a dog bite? Answer:
A
"dog bite" is an action by a dog in which the mouth of the dog closes
around an object or person. Broken skin is not a requirement. If
the dog closes its jaws on something, it "bites" that thing, or
that person, whether or not the skin is damaged. Some
of the most painful dog bite injuries consist of crush wounds to
the soft tissues beneath the skin. For example, a victim wearing
denim jeans might have a painful crush injury but no broken skin.
There might be surrounding circumstances and indications that can
lead to a more definite conclusion as to whether the closing of
the jaws was a "bite or something else. Question:
Why do some dogs bite? Answer:
There are many reasons why a dog may bite. Dogs may bite due
to fear, to protect their territory, or to establish their dominance
over the person being bitten. Some dog owners mistakenly teach their
dogs that biting is an acceptable form of play behavior. Every
year a number of newborn infants die when they are bitten by dogs
that see them as "prey." Because dog bites occur for many reasons,
many components of responsible dog ownership-including proper socialization,
supervision, humane training, sterilization, and safe confinement-are
necessary to prevent dogs from biting. Question:
What are some warning signs that a dog may become violent? Answer:
A
dog that is under socialized by being tied up all the time and confined
to a small yard can be psychologically damaged and not know how
to act if it gets out. A lot of aggression can arise out of fear. Every
dog needs lots of exercise and mental stimulation. Another
sign could be a dog that is ill or old. These dogs may turn
mean if they are not touched in a manner they do not like. Try
to not pat or touch a dog without the owners consent.
Question: What can I do to lessen the chance that my dog will bite a person?o:p> Answer: ·
Get
the advice of a veterinarian about the right breed of dog if you
are thinking about getting a family dog · Purchase dogs from a reliable breeder or from a shelter that evaluates its animals
thoroughly ·
Spay
or neuter your dog, this often reduces its aggressive tendencies
·
Be
sure all pets are properly immunized and have up-to-date vaccinations
·
Make
sure to have all up-to-date information on your dog (identification
tags, vaccination records, etc.) ·
Seek
a veterinarian's advice quickly if your dog becomes aggressive ·
Never
leave babies or small children alone with a dog without adult supervision
·
Teach
your dog submissive behaviors, like rolling over to show its stomach ·
Take
your dog to obedience classes so it becomes accustomed to obeying
voice commands ·
Obey
all leash laws, licensing laws and warning sign laws ·
Make
a point of rewarding your dog for good behavior ·
Do
not play aggressively with your dog (tug-of-war, wrestling) ·
Introduce
your dog to different people, other dogs and unthreatening situations · Don't allow your dog to roam, keep it in a fenced yard Question:
Are dog owners liable if their dogs injure another person? Answer: In the past, a dog owner was only held liable if their dog had already bitten or shown that it was likely to bite a person. Now, most states hold the owner responsible regardless of whether the dog had previously shown a predisposition to bite a person. Liability will be assigned based on evidence presented to the court. In these cases, knowledge of the dog's past behavior is important. Question: Can I bring a claim if I was petting the dog before it attacked? Answer: Generally, yes. As long as your petting would not be construed as provoking the dog. Liability is typically assigned based on evidence presented to the court. In this claims, knowledge of the dog's past behavior is an important component.
Question: Is the dog owner covered by insurance? Answer: The dog owner is usually covered by his/her homeowners' insurance policy.
Question: Can a child sue his or her parents? Answer: Yes. If an insured parent buys insurance in order to cover a stranger, then it is reasonable to assume that the parent would turn to their insurance company to protect and compensate their own family member. In some cases, the dog owner's homeowners' insurance policy would be in effect.
Question: Do I have to go to court? Answer: Most cases are settled out of court. Dog bite cases rarely go to trial.
Question:
What information should I collect in the event of a dog bite? Answer:
When investigating a dog bite incident it is also
important to:
Question: What is my dog bite case worth? Answer: Please contact our office, and someone from our team with contact you personally to answer address your the specific nature of your claim. Free of charge
Question:
How do I find the law in my city, county and state? Answer: It is time-consuming and sometimes difficult process to research dog bite laws, because there are several equally important sources of the law:
This site provides the text of state legislation concerning dog bites.
© 2003 The Dog Bite Lawyer, Attorney Pone: 1-877-248-2936
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