Dog bites happen for all kinds of reasons, and nearly 5 million people are bitten by dogs in the U.S. alone annually. Most of the time, a dog in a park or other public place bites an adult or child without warning.
When this happens, not only is physical harm done, but scarring can happen. Death has even occurred when dogs attack unexpectedly. In the state of Florida, dog bites are taken very seriously.
Here’s what you should do if you have been the victim of a dog bite.
First Reactions
- Take a look at these steps, and make sure to follow these steps when a dog bite occurs to you or a loved one.
- Call the police immediately
- Make sure to take photos of the area, the dog, and the bite
- Note whether or not the dog was on a leash
- Take photos of the name of the park or other area
- Go to a reputable doctor right away to have your wounds assessed
- Follow doctor’s orders exactly
- Make sure to document the accident with as much detail as possible
- Call a lawyer
Who’s Responsible?
In the state of Florida, the owner of the dog that attacked is responsible for any damages - this is not easily debated. The law further extends to other animals as well. An owner of any domestic animal that bites another person is responsible for those damages, and the law is very specific as to the term “domestic animals.”
In Florida, a domestic animal is the following type of animal:
- Horse or other equine
- Bovines
- Sheep
- Goats
- Swine
- Cats
- Dogs
- Any “beast” or “bird” that has been domesticated
If you have been bitten by a dog or any other kind of domestic animal, you are entitled to compensation - no matter where the attack happened. Domestic animal bites are not always insignificant, and sometimes these bites can be serious. If you need help gaining compensation for work or other types of loss due to a domestic animal bite, contact the Dellutri Law Firm for a completely free case evaluation.
