The Rights of Dog Bite Victims

Every year, more than 4.7 million people are injured by a dog in some way. Nearly 800,000 of those injuries are serious enough to require the attention of a doctor or other medical professional. 368,000 people are sent to the emergency room every year from a dog-induced injury. In 2007, 32 people were killed by dogs. Dog bites are not a minor problem. They are a serious problem that happens to have a large body of law defining the rights of the victims of dog attacks.

Dog bite victim rights are an interesting area of law. They combine the jurisdiction of a variety of groups including city ordinances, county ordinances, state statutory law, state case law, and common law. These various bodies of law cover civil, criminal, and administrative laws.

The civil laws provide compensation for the victim. Criminal body of law provides punishment for the dog owner, particularly in cases where the dog was ordered to attack a person. The administrative body of law handles the day-to-day interactions with dogs (leash laws, etc .) as well as what to do with a dog that has attacked people.

Generally speaking, all states hold a person civilly liable for a dog bite when a) the dog was ordered or made to attack the victim; b) the dog had a history of biting people; or c) the dog has exhibited an intention to attack a person. All of these things help to make sure that dog bite victims do not go through their pain unaided.

In addition to civil laws, nearly all states hold that a person is negligent in any case involving a dog bite or a violation of public health and safety laws. The basis of liability is grounded in negligence.

Wisconsin has its own set of laws which detail the liability of the owner of the dog. If you would like more information concerning the rights of dog bite victims, please contact the Madison personal injury lawyers of Habush, Habush, & Rottier at 1-800-822-1690 to discuss your case and to determine your legal options.