by Grayson Law | Jul 4, 2020 | Serious Injury Claims
Arizona has strict laws concerning dogs in public places, and when an animal’s bite causes you or a family member physical harm, its owner may be held liable for any injuries. There are more than 4.7 million dog bites that occur each year across the U.S. As reported by the American Veterinary Medical Association, close to one in every five of those dog bites requires medical attention. In addition to the animal’s bite tearing into the victim’s skin, which could require stitches, there are also potentially harmful microorganisms that may spread from the dog’s saliva. For health and safety reasons dogs are quarantined and checked for signs of disease for 10 days after a bite is reported in all of the metro Phoenix regions.
If a dog bites you or one of your children and causes an injury, you have the right to take legal action against its owner, walker or other caretaker. Whether the attack occurred at a park, in the street or on the dog owner’s property, financial relief may be obtained through a civil action to cover the resulting damages. Dog bite victims are typically children, who are also the most susceptible to suffering an injury requiring treatment.
A dog owner’s typical defense for countering a claim is that the animal was provoked by the individual who suffered the bite. It does not matter, however, if a dog’s owner was either aware or unaware of the animal’s tendency to bite or attack. Depending on how severe the dog’s bite is, a civil action may be filed to seek compensation for pain and suffering, medical treatments or lost wages.
This information is provided for educational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as legal advice.
by Grayson Law | Jul 4, 2020 | Serious Injury Claims
While it’s ultimately up to dog owners to prevent their animal from attacking, not all dog owners take their roles seriously. This can lead to a dog that lashes out at strangers or expresses aggressive behaviors, up to biting and causing significant injuries.
While you can’t always prevent dog attacks when a dog owner is lax, there are steps you can take to avoid aggressive dogs. The ASPCA explains a few of the signs of canine aggression so you can protect yourself when possible.
Aggression can mean different things
Dogs express many different behaviors when acting aggressively. Additionally, a dog that’s behaving aggressively isn’t necessarily angry. A dog might perceive a real or imagined threat and lash out in a fearful state. These types of attacks can be just as damaging, however.
No matter the underlying reason, canine aggression often encompasses some combination of these different behaviors:
- Snarling
- Growling
- Rigidity
- Making contact with a person by pushing their muzzle into the person
- Charging, but stopping short of making contact
These behaviors are all clear signs that you should cease contact with the animal if at all possible. If you remain in the presence of an aggressive dog, it may begin to nip at you. Depending on how hard the animal nips, your skin may be broken or bruised. More serious puncture wounds and lacerations can also occur.
Defending turf
Along with fearful dogs, some dogs lash out because they perceive a person as a threat. The dog may believe a family member is in peril, which can then lead to an attack to protect a member of the “pack.”
A canine’s aggression can also be redirected. For instance, if a dog is threatening your pet and you intervene, you could become the victim of an attack.
