Visious Dog and Animal Bites

Being bitten or attacked by a dog or other animal is a serious issue.  Victims of dog and animal bites and attacks often suffer extreme physical pain, permanent scarring, disfigurement and a variety of psychological conditions ranging from a fear of rabies or other disease to broader-based fears of dogs, animals, even one’s general environment.

According to the Atlanta-based Center for Disease Control (CDC), almost 5 million people are bitten by dogs each year, of which almost a million involve injuries serious enough to require medical attention.  Medical costs associated with these dog bites and attacks are said to approach upwards of 165 million dollars annually.

Laws and regulations concerning the keeping and controlling of dogs and other animals vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.  In some areas, a dog owner is liable for damages if the owner has knowledge that the dog has the propensity to do the particular act (biting) which caused injury to the complaining party.  This means that a plaintiff has to show that the dog (or other animal) had the propensity to do the act and that the owner had knowledge of that propensity.  This has traditionally been called the "first bite rule," although the rule does not literally require a first bite. ‘Leash laws’, and ‘control’ regulations can also give rise to a claim against a dog or animal owner.  For example, a passer-by to the property who becomes frightened by a dog charging, snapping and/or barking in a threatening manner who, in fear for his or her safety and in an attempt to escape the animal trips, falls or becomes injured, may be able to sue the dog's owner successfully if he or she can show that the actions of the dog led to the injury.