For many people, dogs are a beloved part of the family. They provide companionship, an opportunity for exercise, valuable lessons about responsibility, and even protection from burglars and wild animals. However, dogs can also pose a threat to humans if they aren’t properly contained, leashed, or trained. If you, or a family member, have been the victim of a dog bite attack, your family should seek legal counsel as soon as possible, even if the dog belonged to a friend, relative, or neighbor.
Who is responsible for dog bites?
Dogs who have previously been affectionate and safe around children and adults can sometimes become aggressive with little notice. Whether the dog in question had a history of aggressive or unpredictable behavior or was a loved family dog with no questionable past behavior, their owner is culpable under Connecticut law.
If you, or someone you love, have been attacked and bitten by a dog, unless you were trespassing or intentionally tormenting the dog in question, the owner of the dog is liable for all the damages. Even if the dog was in a dog park or had escaped a fenced-in yard when the dog bite attack happened, the owner is responsible for failing to keep one’s animal on a leash or in a contained, safe area.
Dog bits can be traumatic for the victim, particularly if the attack was unprovoked. Especially if the dog bite victim is a young child who may develop cynophobia (a fear of dogs) as a result of the attack, parents should be proactive about taking legal steps to protect their child and ensure they have access to proper care following the injury.
What to do if someone you love has been bitten
If you, or a loved one have, been involved in a dog bite attack, the first thing to do is to ensure personal safety and that the dog in question cannot attack again. If possible, take video or photographs of the scene of the attack before leaving for medical attention to ensure nothing is changed, hidden, or removed from the scene. Calling law enforcement and/or animal control may also be an important step. The victim should be taken to a medical facility as soon as possible to have injuries evaluated and treated. Once everyone is safe, an attorney should be contacted as soon as possible to discuss potential means of recourse for the victim.
An innocent victim of a dog bite attack and one’s family deserve the peace of mind that comes from knowing any and all medical bills, including rehabilitation, physical therapy, reconstructive surgery, and psychotherapy for processing the trauma are going to be paid without destroying the family’s financial situation. Working with an attorney is the best way to ensure that a dog bite victim is fairly compensated for pain and suffering, and that he or she receives the quality care requires after the trauma.
