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5 Tips For Feeding A Happy, Healthy Dog
5 Tips For Feeding A Happy, Healthy Dog by Mark Eckenrode Do you really know all there is to know about your canine companion’s nutritional needs? Many pet owners think they’re doing what’s best for their dogs when it comes to food, but in reality...
Finding A Dog Breeder
If you're in the market for a purebred dog, you'll need to find a breeder from which to purchase the animal. This can often be as easy as opening the classified advertising section of your local newspaper, but you'll want to be sure that the breeder...
How to choose a dog breeder
Generally people are very keen on animals, dogs especially,wanting to have one in their apartments or houses. The dog breeders are the persons you can contact whenever you want to take a pure breed dog. Yet, the problem of the dog breeders's...
How To Choose Your Boxer Dog
An easier and more pleasant journey with your chosen Boxer starts with checking out the parent dogs for unbecoming traits like aggression, hyperactive and extreme shyness. This is easier to do when you get your Boxer from a reputable breeder or...
Managing Your Stress And Your Pets
Everybody deals with stress and anxiety, however some people
sometimes take it out on their pets. Instead of taking your
problems and frustrations out on your pets or other animals,
here is a list of techniques that a person can use to...
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The Facts on Dog Bite Lawsuits
While dogs may be our best friends, some dogs can become
aggressive and bite someone. A dog bite falls under the law in
the personal injury category. Each state has various laws
regarding the liability of the dog's owner. Following are things
you should do if you are bitten by a dog.
Dogs that bite can do it for a number of reasons. Perhaps the
dog has always had an aggressive nature and perceives you as an
unwanted stranger. Historically, there are certain breeds that
have been known to harbor aggression. The Pit Bull breed is a
common example.
The dog's breed is only one factor and doesn't always mean the
dog will be aggressive and prone to biting. You might encounter
a dog that has been healthy in the past and free from offensive
behavior. However, now the dog has suffered from a health
illness such as rabies. Rabies can cause dogs to become
disoriented and lash out by biting people. A classic sign of
rabies is drooling and foaming of the mouth.
If you are bitten it is imperative that you have your bite
checked out at the hospital as soon as possible. Dogs can be a
host to several bacterial and viral infections that you can
contract such as ring worm. Make sure however, that you remember
the type of breed to help a doctor assess the extent of the
wound. Write down the contact information of the dog's owner
should you need to file a lawsuit.
Dog bite lawsuits arise when the dog bite is serious enough to
cause injury, mental aggravation, and hospital bills. It was
beneficial that you wrote down the dog breed and the dog owner's
contact information because you will need it when filing a dog
bite lawsuit. Should you choose to file a dog bite lawsuit, you
will need to contact an attorney to understand your rights and
requirements for filing.
An attorney will explain the specific dog bite lawsuit laws in
your state. It is good to know that the majority of states hold
the dog's owner liable for any dog bites. It will also need to
be determined if the owner had prior knowledge of the dog's
aggression. This is termed "dangerous propensities". Did the
owner know in advance that their dog was of a certain breed that
is prone to biting? Did they provide the required safeguards to
control this unwanted behavior in their dog?
Additionally, some states have enacted legislation that involves
"strict liability". The owner is liable for their dog's actions
whether they knew the
dog was dangerous or not. Anytime their
dog bites someone they are held liable no matter the situation
or circumstances.
On the flip side of the coin is to view this from the dog
owner's perspective. Let's say the dog owner had prior knowledge
that their dog may be dangerous or may bite someone. The owner
then took protective measures to keep his dog in a secure area.
He also had placed "Beware of Dog" signs on his property and has
warned others not to approach his dog as the dog may attack. The
owner had done all this, but someone didn't listen or even
provoked the dog on purpose.
If the owner has provided these safety precautions they are
sometimes not liable due to "contributory negligence".
"Contributory negligence" means that the person who was bitten
understood the dangerousness of the animal, but proceeded to
place themselves in the dog's environment anyway. This type of
dog bite lawsuit often ends in favor of the dog owner.
If you do file a dog bite lawsuit you can sue for compensation
regarding medical costs you will incur due to the dog bite, pain
and suffering, property damage, and affected wages. A vicious
dog bite can leave you unable to work for some time and you need
a way to recoup your losses.
You can also be awarded punitive damages in some cases. Whether
or not you are awarded punitive damages depends on the behavior
of the dog's owner. Did the owner intentionally provoke their
dog and put you in the line of fire? If so, the dog owner's
behavior will be punished by granting you an additional punitive
damages settlement. If you suffer from a dog bite you can rest a
little easier knowing that many health insurance plans cover
costs associated with dog bites. Hopefully, you won't ever have
to deal with a dog bite and dog bite lawsuit. Understand though
that if you are bitten by a dog you do have legal claims. The
extent and nature of the legal claims vary from state to state,
but the basic guidelines have been discussed in this article.
Consult an attorney that has worked on dog bite lawsuits in the
past to figure out the best course of action.
About the author:
Katie, a lifelong dog lover, owns
http://www.dog-breeds-infosite.com which is the ultimate dog
lover's resource. Research dog breeds & get free tips on dog
training, dog supplies, dog health, dog school, dog grooming,
dog laws, dog products & how to find dog sitters & dog walkers.
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