Most dog owners understand the need to keep their animals under control. They acknowledge their responsibility to keep the larger public safe from their pet and take all reasonable measures to do so. You should be able to walk down a street, enjoy the park, and go for outdoor exercise without being attacked by a dog. If you have been the victim of such attack, you can hold the owner accountable.
How to Protect Yourself Against a Dog Attack
Dogs are furry, cuddly creatures that are for the most part friendly. However, you never know when you have come across a dangerous, violent, and vicious dog. It is an unfortunate fact that many owners train their dogs to be aggressive. This is done for sport and home security. That is why you should never pet a dog you do not know. Nor should you allow your children to do so.
Although you have every right to take a stroll down a public street, if you see someone approaching with a dog you should open some space between you. Dogs can be provoked by seemingly insignificant things. A shiny object, a specific noise, a smell you were unaware you had, an inchoate noise coming from somewhere else—these are just some of the many things that can set a dog off.
The Harm Caused by a Dog Attack
A dog attack can cause you serious physical, emotional, and psychological harm. Such an attack is sudden, violent, and jolting. One moment you are minding your own business; the next moment you are under siege by a growling and vicious animal. If you were bitten, you must go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital. There, the wound will be washed, treated, and bandaged. You will also need to undergo a course of anti-rabies shots.
A more severe attack can put you on your back for weeks. You will incur medical expenses and lose wages. There is also the pain and suffering of the attack. This can put tremendous stress and strain on your family.
It is right for you to hold the owner of the dog accountable.
Getting Justice
You should call a dog bite lawyer to get the justice you deserve. Such an attorney will have handled many such cases, and they will know how to build up a case against the person responsible for your injuries.
Do not assume the injury itself is all you need to get compensation. You must prove that the injury you received was the result of a dog attack. You must also find and identify the dog that attacked you and the owner. This requires concrete evidence. Your lawyer will be able to gather the forensic evidence, eyewitness testimony, and camera footage required to prove your version of events.
The dog owner may claim that you somehow provoked the dog or that the dog in question is not theirs. Lawyers who specialize in dog attacks see such ploys all the time. They will ensure that the right person is held accountable for the attack.
