Phoenix Dog Bite Attorney
A Dog Attack Can Change Your Life
Dogs are sweet and loving for the most part. That is why they are called “Man’s Best Friend”. But they can also be aggressive and dangerous in certain circumstances. Dog attacks are traumatic for everyone, but when the victims are very young or very old, it may be deadly. Dog bites almost always result in broken skin (sometimes in the actual tearing of skin) and the effects can be devastating disfigurement, a loss of range of motion and/or permanent neurological damage. If you or someone in your family has been attacked and injured, please don’t delay. Contact our Phoenix Dog Bite Lawyers today. The team at the Law Offices of Joel W. Black, LLC is standing by to help you.
Why Dogs Attack
Canine Social Aggression – When too many dogs get together, there may be one or more dogs vying for dominance over a food dish or a dog toy. Human’s that get in the middle of this dog-on-dog conflict can easily be bitten or attacked inadvertently.
Learned Aggression – Some dogs, while starting their life peacefully enough, may fall in the hands of someone that intentionally trains them to be overly aggressive. This may be in an attempt for the person to use the dog as a means of guarding the family residence, but this behavior is hard to control and may be impossible to switch on and off easily.
Territorial & Predatory Aggression – While more of a natural trait of dogs stemming back to before they were domesticated, territorial or predatory aggression can be easily corrected in dogs, including through good breeding and proper training.
Fear or Pain-Motivated Aggression – When a dog has sustained an injury and is currently in pain or in fear of further harm, it is more likely to act out aggressively to anyone in its close proximity, even if that person is not responsible for the dog’s fear or pain. It is never a good idea to reach out and touch an injured dog without protection. Seek the help of a professional.
Genetic Predisposition – While, as noted above, some dogs are specifically trained to be hostile, others are considered “genetically predisposed” to aggression. A few breeds that appear frequently on the list of dangerous dogs are Akitas, Rottweilers, Dobermans, and Pit Bulls. This does not mean, in any way, that all dogs of a certain breed are wholly or selectively violent or aggressive. Many, many factors contribute to the disposition of a dog and there are shining examples of each breed leading perfectly loving productive lives with families.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
A dog does not have to be large to cause damage. Even small dogs have sharp teeth and can produce wounds. Typical dog attacks injuries range from minor to severe and can include:
- Puncture and/or Tearing Wounds
- Permanent Disfigurement or Scarring
- PTSD and Other Lasting Psychological Damage
- Tissue Muscle Damage Resulting in Loss of Motion
- Permanent Neurological/Nerve Damage
- Infection
- Death
Liability in Arizona Dog Bite Cases
Dog bite laws vary from state to state. Fortunately, Arizona is a state that imposes strict liability on the owner of a dog that bites a person. ARS 11-1025 states, in part:
“The owner of a dog which bites a person when the person is in or on a public place or lawfully in or on a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, is liable for damages suffered by the person bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of its viciousness.”
Despite the supporting state statutes, recovering in a dog bite claim can be difficult or take an extremely long time. Dog owners may fight or delay the disposition of the case, dragging it out for years. We can vigorously pursue a claim on your behalf for medical treatment (past, present, and future), lost wages if the injury caused you to lose time from work, and other punitive damages such as pain and suffering.
Get Help – Call Our Compassionate Attorneys
Let us help you determine and exercise your legal rights as a dog bite victim. Our team of Phoenix Personal Injury Attorneys is standing by and is ready to give you a free, confidential initial consultation. Do not delay, reach out to us immediately following an injury. Call (602) 277-1393 or fill out our convenient online form.