Dog Owners can be Held Liable for Bite Injuries

Posted Friday, January 26, 2018 by Chris Thayer

Dogs are popular pets, but at the end of the day, they are still animals and can be dangerous to humans. Keep in mind that there are certain dog breeds more prone to biting. They include pit bulls, bulldogs, chihuahuas, and German Shepherds, according to Canine Journal.

About 4.5 million dog bites occur in the U.S. every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 900,000 of those bites lead to infection.

If a dog bites someone, the dog’s owner can be held responsible for any resulting injuries. Dog owners are liable under Washington law in the following circumstances:

• The dog bites someone while that person is in a public place or lawfully on the owner’s property (or any other private place).
• It does not matter whether or not the dog has bitten anyone before. Under the “one bite rule,” the owner is responsible whether or not the dog had a history of viciousness.This law does not apply to the lawful use of police dogs.

If the dog attacks someone who is trespassing on private property, then that person likely does not have a viable injury claim. Additionally, the owner might successfully defend the claim if the victim teased, taunted, abused, or harmed the dog in any way. Dogs are more likely to attack if they are stressed or feel threatened.

Pit Bull Attack Against UPS Driver

In September of 2017, UPS driver Kevin Backlund was attacked by four pit bulls while trying to deliver a package to a home in the Puyallup area. He sustained 36 wounds that required more than 133 stitches.

He called for help when the dogs started attacking him and a fire chief came to rescue him. Officials determined that the four dogs are dangerous to the public and must be euthanized.

Backlund filed a lawsuit against the dog owners, claiming that they knew “their pit bull dogs were extremely vicious and dangerous, and that the animals had been specifically trained to seriously injure/and or kill people who entered onto the property.”

*What to do if You are Attacked by a Dog*These are the steps you should take if you are bitten by a dog:

• Call for help like Backlund did if you can not extricate yourself from the situation.
• Seek medical attention immediately. One of the biggest concerns with dog bites is infection.
• If possible, identify who the dog owner is and any witnesses who might have seen the attack.
• Contact an experienced attorney. You may be entitled to damages for your injuries.

Remember that you must file your personal injury lawsuit within Washington’s statute of limitations, which is three years from the date of the dog bite.

Contact Us Today

Contact one of our personal injury attorneys today for a free consultation if you were attacked by a dog. The dog’s owner might be liable for your injuries under Washington law. Our experienced attorneys will help recover the compensation that you deserve, including medical expenses.