Dog Bite FAQ

You should always report a dog bite when it happens for several reasons. If you need medical care - and you should have your injuries checked even if they seem inconsequential - and you seek compensation later, you will have a record of the bite that led to your injuries. Additionally, reporting the bite will help keep others safe. Wake County officials recommend that you report dog bites to your local Animal Control office. Their website has phone numbers for the Raleigh Animal Control branch and other cities in Wake County. After you report the bite, an officer will come…

It depends on where the bite occurred. If your dog bit another canine on your property, you are probably not strictly liable. If you were walking the dog on a leash and it got into an altercation with another dog, strict liability doesn’t apply. If your dog was running off-leash in an area with a leash law (like Raleigh), you might be liable for the dog’s vet bills. When a dog kills or severely injures another domestic animal (like a dog or cat) outside the owner’s property, it may be deemed a “potentially dangerous dog.” The state of North Carolina…

In some cases, yes. It’s a common misconception that homeowners insurance only covers damage to the house, like a fire or robbery. Homeowners' insurance may cover various losses for the insured, from a damaged jet ski to dog bites. However, you should remember that not all homeowners insurance policies are alike; some cover more losses than others. Certain policies exclude animal bites unless the owner adds extra coverage, so it’s important to find a copy and discuss it with your lawyer. Can You Sue Homeowners’ Insurance for a Dog Bite? If the dog’s owner is known and you can get…

North Carolina dog bite laws hold owners strictly liable if a dog deemed dangerous or potentially dangerous bites someone. A dog owner may also be responsible under the legal concept of negligence per se, which usually means that the dog is allowed to run unrestrained in violation of local leash laws. How do these laws relate to dog groomers who might be bitten during employment? Dog groomers, veterinarians and vet assistants, and other people who regularly work with dogs and other animals often have difficulty suing for dog bites because of a legal defense called “assumption of risk.” The idea…

Yes, although contrary to what many believe, it is untrue that a “one bite” rule means the animal must be put down. Owners must take precautions to prevent the “potentially dangerous dog” from threatening others. There are three circumstances in which a dog is considered potentially dangerous: When the dog has previously bitten a person causing broken bones, disfiguring lacerations, or necessitating cosmetic surgery or hospitalization. If the dog killed or seriously injured a domestic animal (such as another dog or a cat) outside the owner’s real property. When the dog was off the owner’s property and approached a person…

It depends on the circumstances of the dog bite, but in many cases, yes. If a dog has bitten your child, we recommend speaking to a North Carolina dog bite lawyer right away so you can learn about your options. Who Is Liable if a Dog Bit My Child? Your attorney will ask you for more information to help determine the answer to this question. First, they will want to know who owns the dog, where the attack happened, and if the dog's owner or caregiver was present. North Carolina doesn’t hold owners strictly liable for dog bites unless the…

Compensation for a dog bite varies with each case but can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain & suffering, or punitive damages. A dog bite can be a terrifying experience, even if it only lasts a few seconds because the physical and emotional damage could be long-term. If a dog has attacked you, please seek medical attention immediately and speak with a North Carolina dog bite lawyer about your potential damages. What Types of Dog Bite Damages Can You Get Compensation For? Medical bills - Even with health insurance, considerable expenses may be associated with treating a dog bite. Some…