Preventing Dog Bites
Were you attacked by a dog in New York? Here is some helpful information on preventing dog bites in Western New York. Dedicated Jamestown dog bite lawyer Scott F. Humble can help you recover fair and full compensation for your injuries.
Preventing Dog Bites | Precautionary Measures
The factors that most frequently influence dogs to bite humans include feeling threatened and being accustomed to aggressive play. With that in mind, showing care and calm when dealing with unfamiliar dogs is the best general protocol. It is important to speak with a dog’s owner before trying to pet or even touch the dog, and allowing the dog to see you and sniff your hand can more readily assure the dog that you are not a threat. The CDC recommends that you not approach an unfamiliar dog if it is sleeping, caring for its puppies, or eating, as these are actions that may make a dog feel vulnerable and become more likely to overreact.
Preventing Dog Bites | New York State Dog Bite Laws
New York’s body of laws define a “dangerous dog” as a dog that attacks a human or animal seemingly without any provocation, causing injury or even death, or that is behaving in a threatening manner. A dog cannot be considered dangerous in the eyes of the law if the dog was protecting itself or its owner, reacting to pain, defending its puppies, or assaulting a criminal at the time of the attack; each of these circumstances is threatening, and a dog will most often not be held accountable for responding aggressively in such situations.
A “one-bite state” is a state that typically absolves a dog owner of most liability following a dog’s first attack, and though New York is not a true one-bite state, its laws do treat repeat offenses by the same dog with increasing penalties. Assuming that a dog bite attack was not an isolated incident, meaning that the dog responsible for the attack had bitten others in the past, a judge can declare that the dog has a vicious propensity, and consequences can include fines imposed against the dog’s owner, confinement for the dog, and even euthanasia.
Preventing Dog Bites | Hire an Experienced Lawyer
Because dog bite attacks vary wildly in terms of severity, the potential punitive actions will depend on the specifics of each case. If you have experienced an attack by a dog, assuming you did not provoke the animal, you will have the duty of establishing that the dog acted dangerously and that its owner should be held at fault. A dog that has attacked a person, after all, can pose a risk to others if the law does not intervene.
Experienced Jamestown dog bite lawyer Scott F. Humble has 30+ years of experience defending victims of bites in New York courts, and we strive to ensure that our clients are compensated for their injuries. If you have any concerns about how to proceed with a legal claim against the owner of the dog that attacked you, Jamestown dog bite lawyer Scott Humble would be glad to provide you with the help and support that you need. Contact our office today for a free and confidential consultation.
