STRICT LIABILITY DOG BITE LAWS

When someone decides to have a dog as a pet, they take on the responsibility of preventing their dog from harming others. Unfortunately, not everyone takes this responsibility serious and people are injured as a result. Dogs do not have the same brain capacity and knowledge as humans, so it is a shame that they are held responsible for their owner’s negligent actions. If you were bitten by a dog, it is necessary to prove exactly how the dog owner was negligent. Some examples of negligent actions by a dog owner include:

  • Allowing their dog to leave their property unattended
  • The dog having prior instances of aggression that were ignored by the owner
  • Walking the dog without a leash
  • Not having their dog up-to-date on relevant shots

When someone is injured from a dog attack, they often want to hold the owner accountable for the dog’s actions. Different states have different regulations dictating if the dog owner can be held strictly liable. Some states believe that any bite that occurs places strict liability on the owner. Other states allow a dog “one free bite” if the dog hasn’t had any dangerous tendencies in the past. With a strict liability case, the injured person does not have to prove that the dog owner was negligent.

In the State of Ohio, the dog owner is strictly liable if:

  1. The injury was caused by the dog’s behavior
  2. The injured person was not committing a crime or trespassing on property
  3. The injured person did not provoke the dog by teasing, tormenting, or abusing it

These laws are subject to change, so speaking with a lawyer who specializes in dog and animal bite injuries is crucial before you initiate a lawsuit.

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