Imagine taking a peaceful stroll through your neighborhood when, suddenly, a dog lunges and sinks its teeth into your leg. The pain, shock and fear can be overwhelming.
As you deal with medical bills and potential long-term effects, you might wonder: Is the dog’s owner responsible for this traumatic incident?
Dog owners are legally responsible for injuries caused by their pets
In Washington State and across the country, the law expects dog owners to prevent their pets from harming others. When they fail to meet this obligation, they may be considered negligent. Negligence can take many forms:
- Failing to properly restrain or contain the dog
- Ignoring warning signs of aggressive behavior
- Failing to provide adequate training or socialization
- Allowing the dog to roam freely without supervision
- Failing to post warning signs or provide adequate warning of the dog’s presence
Washington State operates under the “strict liability” rule for dog bites. This means the owner is liable for injuries caused by their dog regardless of whether the dog has never shown aggression before. The law aims to protect victims and hold owners accountable for their pets’ actions.
Pursuing justice and compensation for your dog bite injuries
You will need to show the following to prove negligence in a dog bite case:
- The person owned the dog
- The dog bit you
- You were lawfully in the place where the bite occurred
- You did not provoke the dog
Dog bite cases can become complicated quickly. Owners might argue you were trespassing or provoked the dog. Insurance companies often try to minimize the damages they will have to pay you.
Do not let a dog owner’s negligence leave you bearing the burden of medical bills and emotional trauma. Seek the help of a qualified attorney to secure the compensation you deserve.