Dog attacks happen for a multitude of reasons, and the victim must prove that the attack wasn’t caused by their own actions.
When getting started, the claimant must acquire records for the injuries and show that the attack was reported. By learning what to do after a dog attack, victims can determine their next steps.
Report the Dog Attack
The victim must report the dog attack to the county sheriff’s department or animal control. The animal control officer will investigate the dog attack and make an attempt to locate the dog. The officer will find the pet owner once the dog has been located and inform the pet owner of the attack. The report details the entire dog attack and provides evidence that the event was reported to the authorities. Plaintiffs can get help from JMLawyer.com after a dog attack.
Seek Medical Assistance
Even if the person has minor injuries, it’s wise to get medical attention to generate records of the attack. The medical records provide explicit information about the injuries and define if the wounds were severe or life-threatening.
When submitting a claim, the plaintiff must have medical evidence to substantiate the claim. In some cases, the doctor may testify about the victim’s injuries if these injuries caused a permanent condition or disability.
Deposing Eyewitnesses that Show the Attack
Any eyewitness that saw the dog attack is deposed by both attorneys. The personal injury claim may require an alternative account of the attack from another party. This could corroborate everything that the victim has said about the dog attack.
In a dog attack case, the victim must prove that they had the owner’s permission to be at or on the property. The claimant cannot be guilty of animal cruelty or abuse. If eyewitnesses saw the person committing a crime, the case could be dismissed.
Testing the Dog for Rabies
All dogs that attack a human must be assessed for rabies. If the pet owner doesn’t have a current record of vaccinations for the dog, the animal control officer can require a quarantine period. The dog remains at a licensed vet’s office for 12 days to determine if the animal has contracted the rabies virus. If the dog doesn’t have the virus, the animal control officer determines if the animal poses a threat to the public. If not, the vet can release the animal back to the owner.
What Is a Strict Liability?
A strict liability applies if the dog was involved in additional attacks on humans. Most animal control officers keep records of all animal reports. If the pet owner failed to protect the public from an aggressive dog, the owner is liable for any costs related to medical care or property damage caused by the dog. The strict liability enforces the requirement to pay for all financial losses if the victim wins the case.
Dog attacks are horrible events that often leave individuals with terrible injuries. In the cases, the plaintiff must prove that they didn’t play a role in causing the injuries. Provoking or abusing the animal could place the blame on the victim, and the victim could face changes or penalties. If the person was trespassing, the case can be dismissed since the person committed a crime prior to the dog attack. By reviewing the legalities of the cases, claimants learn what to do next.
Photo credit: Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images.
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