Dogs and other pets are an important part of our lives. They can bring much happiness to our homes and edify our day-to-day lives. However, some owners do not properly train them. Untrained and unleashed vicious dogs can cause a lot of trauma in other people’s lives, both physical and mental. Oftentimes, it is young children who are victims of horrible and unnecessary dog bites.
If you or a loved one are suffering from a dog bite, know that there are legal options you can pursue with the help of a local dog bite attorney in Las Vegas.
How Dog Bites Can Occur
While some dog bites can occur when a dog is provoked or simply becomes overly excited, many times they can occur due to negligence, such as when an owner doesn’t keep their dog on a leash.
Dog bites can be deeply debilitating. Depending on the size of the dog and the location of the bite, the injury can damage muscle, nerves, skin, and even bone. However, the bigger risk lies in infections. Bites can become easily infected from bacteria embedded in the skin, causing a number of ailments.
Why You Should Get a Dog Bite Attorney
Dogs that are untrained will often bite people even when someone is trying to be nice to the dog, or trying to avoid it altogether. Every state has its own laws and regulations surrounding dog ownership and liability. Some states, such as Montana, have even enacted “dog bite statutes,” which are strict rules regarding liability throughout the entire state.
Nevada does not have its own dog bite statute, meaning that dog bite cases are generally governed by case law precedent, such as Harry v. Smith, and local ordinances. A local dog bite attorney can prove invaluable in helping you to understand the law and determine if you could be owed compensation.
In general, Nevada dog owners have the responsibility to make sure their dogs are under control at all times, meaning that they need to use reasonable care in preventing any injury from occurring. Furthermore, Clark County ordinances require that dogs are always properly restrained to the owner’s property or are on a leash.
Even in situations regarding stray dogs, negligence may still be involved, and you may be owed compensation. For example, if a person lets a stray dog into a daycare center and someone is bitten, that person is negligent. Also, a person may be held liable if they have been harboring or keeping a stray dog on their property and it bites someone.
When a dog bite occurs, it’s best to consult with an experienced professional who knows the law.
How Ahlander Injury Law Can Help
At Ahlander Injury Law, we have prosecuted many dog bite cases for our clients in Las Vegas and Spring Valley, as well as cases in many other practice areas. Victims of dog bites are often left with significant scarring and have emotional damages as well. People who have been bitten by dogs due to others’ negligence are entitled to compensation.
If you, or someone you know, has been bitten by a dog, or other animal, please contact our office for a free consultation with an experienced dog bite lawyer in Spring Valley and Las Vegas areas.