Dog Attacks & Dog Bites
Has your dog been attacked by another dog? You have options.
The family dog is a cherished member of American culture. From Lassie and Old Yeller to Snoopy and 101 Dalmatians, dogs have held a beloved spot in many family’s homes. Sadly, sometimes our furry friends can be attacked by another dog and require veterinary care, medication, or incur other expenses to deal with their injuries.
These expenses can be surprisingly high. It is possible that these expenses related to your dog being attacked and injured can be recovered. If your dog has been attacked, please take a moment to look over the FAQs below to see if you can find an answer to help you make an informed decision on how to proceed.
If you have any questions, please contact Attorney Matthew Forrest and he can discuss the details of your situation and help you determine what is the best course of action to pursue. Contact information is at the bottom of this page.
What if you have been bitten by someone else’s dog?
We have a friend who does a lot of trail running who recently said, “I know what’s going to be on my tombstone: ‘don’t worry, he’s friendly.’”
Since the pandemic restrictions were first imposed, more people than ever are running, walking, biking, hiking outdoors. Many people are doing so with their dogs in tow. Too many of these people are new to the outdoors and unfamiliar with some of the rules and unspoken courtesies that the regulars take for granted.
As a result, more dogs than ever are in parks and on trails and unleashed.
Every year – every normal year, that is – more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States, and more than 800,000 receive medical attention for those bites (per the CDC).
Those numbers are sure to rise, at least as long as pandemic restrictions are in place.
Dog bites can cause severe injuries, even disfiguring ones. Emotional trauma is a common side effect of being bitten by a dog – everyone knows someone who is scared to death of dogs because of a childhood incident.
The most important thing you should know about dog bites is that they are almost always preventable. Dog bites don’t usually occur when owners take proper precautions, follow the leash laws, act with good common sense.
Negligent dog owners are responsible for their dogs’ actions. If our friend above was ever attacked by one of those ‘friendly’ dogs running in a park off the leash, it’s not the dog’s fault – dogs do dog things. The owner who thinks their dog is friendly under any conditions is at fault.
People who are attacked by dogs are victims. They have the right to recover from their physical injuries and emotional trauma.
Forrest McPadden represents victims of dog attacks.
We are here for you, please do not hesitate to call with any questions.
Act Now
Please do not wait to contact us. The minute a serious injury or wrongful death occurs the ‘legal clock’ begins to tick down. There are many other practical considerations in preceding as quickly as possible in pursuing a case.
Call us, let’s talk about what you need.
Dog Attack FAQs
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Can I recover expenses associated with my dog being attacked?
Yes, many times there are expenses related to your dog being injured in an attack or accident. Many of these expenses may be recoverable.
What kinds of expenses may be recoverable?
Recoverable expenses may include but are not limited to veterinary bills, hospital bills, emergency care bills, time lost from work to take a pet to appointments or to care for a pet; transportation to and from appointments; medications, and the value of the dog itself.
I used to be able to leave my dog home alone before the attack and now I have to pay for day care. Are these expenses recoverable?
Yes, these care expenses resulting from the attack of your dog may be recoverable.
What if my dog is mortally wounded as a result of the attack?
In this situation, the owner may be compensated for the value of the pet and may be compensated for the acquisition and training of a new pet.
What about another kind of pet that does harm? Can damages be recovered?
Damages may be recoverable in these instances, but contact Forrest Law to discuss your particular circumstances.
Who pays for my dog’s expenses if I decide to pursue a recovery?
The homeowner’s insurance policy of the owner of the pet that caused the injury would indemnify for any expenses recovered as a result of the injuries sustained.
My dog was injured in an attack by another dog and now needs physical therapy to regain use of its leg. Are expenses associated with this recoverable?
Yes, expenses associated with treatment may be recoverable. These expenses may include physical therapy for your dog to restore its function to pre-accident levels; retraining for your dog to learn certain commands; visits to a dog psychologist; and any grooming or “spa” treatments needed as a result of the injury.
What about expenses associated with purebred dogs?
In some cases, breeding rights, stud fees, loss of profits, or loss of various purebred traits due to the injury may be recoverable.
What if my dog needs a prosthetic limb or wheels as a result of being injured in an attack?
In serious cases where prosthetics or other animal assists are needed, recovery for those costs may be possible.
Does Connecticut have a “one-bite” rule?
No. In the past, it had to be proven that the dog had the propensity to attack another dog. This is no longer the case. Any attack by a dog that causes injury to a person or property may be eligible for recovery of expenses, even if it is the first time a particular dog has acted in such a manner.
In what other circumstances may injuries sustained by a dog bite be eligible for recovery?
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