The Facts About Dog Bites

A lot of people will say life is better with pets, and for the most part, they’re right. It’s wonderful to have a companion around the home that you can care for and will show you love in return. Before the lockdown, you’d be hard-pressed to not find people out walking in parks with their pooches.

The tough truth that dog owners, and people in general, need to face is that sometimes, out of the blue, a dog will snap and turn violent, biting the the person in front of them. Per Colorado law, you are responsible and liable for your dog’s actions and will need to pay for any damages the other party sustains, which is almost guaranteed to be medical bills.

However, you should know that just because a dog bit you, doesn’t mean that you can bring a case against the owner; if you provoked the dog, or were trespassing, you likely won’t be able to seek damages. You should consult a Colorado Springs personal injury attorney first to go over the details of your case. You’ll likely be asked to prove that you were not at fault. You should also know the ways that a dog owner may not be liable for a bite.

• Police dogs are entirely excluded, regardless of the situation and circumstances.

• If you are in the professional world of pets, let’s say as a vet, or a dog walker, you take on some risks knowing that animals can become skittish and may bite. It’s part of the job.

• If the owner posted a warning sign regarding the dog that is easily visible, it will likely take liability away from them as guests were alerted that danger may be waiting.

• If you provoked the dog, you lose your claim against owner liability since you shouldn’t have instigated an incident.

• If you are illegally on the property, whether it’s public, or private, and you are bitten by a dog, the owner will not be held liable because you shouldn’t have been there in the first place.

A simple way to ensure that your dog doesn’t bite someone is to hire a dog trainer to work with your furry friend and teach them patience and manners. Dog trainers will also work to socialize your dog so that they aren’t skittish around strangers, though you also need to reinforce this training by taking them for walks around other people and dogs. Additionally, if you know your dog has a bad temper and may bite, you can invest in safe, non-harmful muzzles and alert others that they cannot pet, nor get to close to, your dog. It is your responsibility to protect others from your dog biting them. Make sure you have the proper signage on your property to help remove liability in the event that your dog does bite someone.

Dog bites can be a bit technical and confusing, so it’s best to have a Colorado Springs personal injury lawyer on your side to help you and prove your innocence. Contact us for more information if you’ve been bitten by a dog, or if your dog has bitten anyone recently and are facing legal recourse.