You probably know that dogs without proper training, supervision, or owner control can be extremely dangerous. You may even know that some dogs are aggressive and will bite without provocation. What you may not know is that no dog is bite-proof—even the best dogs will bite if they are hurt or scared.
Because of their size and general lack of understanding about animal safety, children are at the most significant risk of severe injuries from dog bites. Adults may also suffer significant injuries in a dog attack. If you or a loved one have been injured in a dog attack, a Connecticut dog bite lawyer at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, can help you understand your rights. Call now to schedule a free, in-person or remote consultation with one of our seasoned injury attorneys.
Connecticut takes a strict liability approach to dog bites. Dog bite victims can recover from dog owners, even if the owner has no reason to believe their dog will be aggressive. This sets Connecticut apart from many other states, which only hold owners liable if the dog has a history of aggression.
The location and circumstances of the bite play an essential role in determining liability. Owners are almost always liable for bites that occur when dogs are off their property and not under their control. An owner who lets their dog roam freely will probably be liable if it bites. However, if the dog is on the owner’s property, then the owner will likely not be liable for injuries to trespassers or other wrongdoers. A dog has the right to protect its home and its people.
The circumstances of the bite are also critical. If someone taunts, teases, or otherwise provokes a dog, it can relieve the owner of liability. There is an important exception to this, though—anyone under the age of seven is presumed not to be a trespasser and not to be provoking the dog.
Strict liability applies to dog owners, but they are not the only potentially liable parties in some dog bite cases. A Connecticut lawyer can help you identify other people who may be responsible for your dog bite injuries.
Landlords are typical third-party defendants in dog bite cases. Landlords who allow their tenants to keep dangerous dogs can be liable if those dogs bite. They may have a duty to warn other tenants about the animal and to ensure that the tenant removes a dangerous dog from the premises.
However, the designation of a “dangerous dog” is not based on breed-specific limitations. Although some breeds, such as pit bulls, have a reputation as being more aggressive than other breeds, a lot of that is based on the misidentification of dogs after an attack. The breeds most likely to attack rarely make any most dangerous breed lists. Despite that fact, landlords may try to limit this liability by excluding certain dog breeds from their property.
For a landlord to be responsible for damages after a dog bite, it is not enough to show that a dog is from a breed with a reputation for being aggressive. Instead, the landlord needs to have had the opportunity to know that a particular dog was dangerous. A Connecticut dog bite attorney can explain the difference between a breed’s reputation and an individual dog’s dangerousness during an initial consultation.
The aftermath of a dog bite can be especially traumatic. These injuries can lead to infections, disfigurement, and severe injuries. Treatment often requires reconstructive surgeries and may involve painful and expensive vaccinations or other treatments. In addition, dog attacks can lead to a fear of dogs or even a generalized fear of animals, which can be debilitating. Victims may require therapy in order to get over that fear and resume normal activities. As tempting as it is to blame the dog for the injuries, the people at the other end of the leash are the actual responsible parties. A Connecticut dog bite lawyer at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, can help you bring a claim against the owner and other responsible parties.
Call today to schedule your free case review.
