When Can Dog Owners Be Held Liable after Bites?

by Staff Blogger | March 16th, 2020

Dogs have lived alongside people for millennia. When kept as pets, the vast majority of dogs are loving and gentle animals. But all dogs, regardless of breed, temperament, size, and behavioral history, are capable of attacking and biting—even without provocation. Victims can include their owners, other members of their household, or even complete strangers.

Many dog breeds have powerful jaws and sharp teeth. When they bite, they’re capable of inflicting significant injuries. Victims may suffer everything from severe bleeding and pain to infection and nerve damage. It’s not uncommon for dog bite victims to require hospitalization and to suffer prolonged or even permanent disability in affected limbs or body parts. That means big medical bills and a long time away from work—or even early retirement.

Because of the financial consequences of dog bites, it’s important for victims to be able to pursue compensation. But first, they must prove that the owners of the dogs that bit them were negligent. There are two ways that dog owners are generally considered negligent:

  • They didn’t leash their dogs—When dogs are in public and aren’t leashed or aren’t fully controlled by their owners and they bite or attack someone, their owners can be held liable.
  • They didn’t contain their dogs—On their own property, dog owners are required to ensure that their dogs aren’t allowed to roam freely and potentially bite guests or passersby.

Proving negligence after a dog bite requires experience and knowledge of local ordinances and personal injury law. That’s why it’s important to contact the Virginia dog bite attorneys at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers as soon as possible. We’re here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.