New York Dog Bite Lawyers

Few things are more frightening than being attacked by a dog or other animal. Such an attack can leave the victim severely injured and traumatized. If the victim is a child, the injuries can be fatal. Generally, when wild animals are kept as pets, an owner is liable for injuries caused by the animal. Owners of domestic animals may also be held liable for harm caused by their pet but usually only if the owner knows or has reason to know that the animal has dangerous propensities.

In certain instances, a lawsuit can succeed against a dog owner, even if the owner had no actual knowledge of the animal's dangerous propensities. Such knowledge might be implied. Where there is no evidence of an owner's actual knowledge that his or her dog has dangerous propensities, the owner may nonetheless be held liable provided there is evidence that the particular breed to which the dog belongs has dangerous propensities. This is so even where the owner's dog has never before attacked or bitten anyone.

For example, the ferocious nature of a bulldog is sufficient to provide the owner with implied notice of the dog's dangerous propensities. In essence, a jury can infer that the owner knew or should have known of the dog's dangerous or vicious propensities only where evidence shows that the particular breed to which the owner's dog belongs is known to exhibit such tendencies.

Furthermore, the owner of a dog is expected to use reasonable care to prevent injury that might result from the natural propensities of dogs. Thus, whether the owner or keeper of the animal is aware of any vicious propensity, the legal description of the duty owed is the same: that of reasonable care under the circumstances. Thus, depending on the facts of a particular case, a dog's unprovoked biting may or may not be evidence of the dog's vicious tendencies.

If you or a loved one has suffered from an animal bite, call New York Dog Bite Lawyers Isaacson,Schiowitz & Korson, LLP. for a FREE consultation at 1 800 649 6557 or submit an online questionnaire. If we agree to handle your case, there will be no legal fee unless we are successful in getting you money. Your lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitations expires; otherwise, it may be barred forever. So please call or Contact us right away so that you do not lose your rights to compensation.