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Dog Bites In Ohio - Strict Liability For Dog Owners

Joseph Paulozzi
March 3, 2021

A dog belonging to someone else has bitten you. The dog’s owner must pay for your injuries. That is the law in Ohio and a Toledo dog bite injury attorney can help you recover from your injuries.Dogs are generally friendly companions for people. After all, they are ‘man’s best friend’. Unfortunately, there are circumstances where dogs become unfriendly and can pose a threat to innocent passers-by. If you are injured by a dog through no fault of your own, the owner or party responsible for the dog is required to compensate you for the injuries you received.

Dog Bite Law in Ohio

Ohio law makes the person responsible for the dog also responsible for the damage the dog does to you – whether it be to your person or your property. The nature or character of the dog is not a consideration.As long as your reason for being near the dog is considered nothing greater than a misdemeanor and you didn’t provoke the dog with teasing or taunting, the law does not diminish your ability to recover from the responsible party. This holds true even if you were at the person’s door to sell him a set of encyclopedias and painted on his door in large letters was ‘NO SOLICITORS!’.

Why Dogs Bite

Dogs that may otherwise be friendly are prone to bite when they feel threatened in some way. The following circumstances can increase the likelihood that a dog may bite.

  • Dogs are protective of their territory and their dog family. Coming on their turf or getting too close to their pack can trigger aggression.
  • Surprising a dog that was unaware of your presence
  • Unintentional hurting – such as touching a dog in a sensitive area
  • Running from a dog that wants to chase you
  • Dogs that have been abused or are living in abusive conditions may be fearful and aggressive toward any humans.
  • Sick dogs that don’t feel good may lash out uncharacteristically.

What to Do if a Dog Bites You

What you do immediately following a dog bite can be crucial to your ability to recover from your losses. Obviously, if you are seriously injured then seeking medical attention will be your priority. But if your injuries are less severe you will want to get some additional information if possible before leaving the scene.

  • Take pictures – of the dog, of where it occurred, of your injury/damage
  • Write down the owner’s name, dog’s name, address of the property, time of day, any particular conditions that existed, get the names of anyone who saw what happened, describe what happened
  • Seek medical attention – even if you think your injuries are not serious. You will want medical documentation of your injuries and there is the risk of infection with animal bites. The medical provider must submit a report to the district health commissioner within 24 hours of the incident.
  • Report the incident to both the police and the appropriate animal control agency.

In the days or weeks to follow you may be contacted by the dog owner’s insurance company attempting to settle your claim. If you’re not sure how to properly evaluate your losses, the assistance of a Toledo dog bite injury lawyer from Paulozzi LPA will ensure you receive all the compensation you are entitled to. You can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling us at 888-710-0040.

Joseph Paulozzi
March 3, 2021
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