Unfortunately, not all dogs are friendly. If you are attacked by a dog without its owner present, you may be unsure of how to hold someone accountable for the injuries you suffered. Although it is difficult, it is possible to locate the dog owner by taking video or photographic evidence, calling animal control or an animal control officer, law enforcement, and speaking with an experienced dog bite lawyer. However, your first priority should always be to obtain the necessary medical care and protective measures you need to ensure your well-being.
Dog ownership comes with a great responsibility. As such, owners must ensure their pets do not injure others. Still, over 4.5 million victims are attacked by dogs annually. In Missouri, dog owners are strictly liable for injuries caused by their dogs. Unlike in other states, victims do not have to show an owner knew a dog was dangerous before the attack or that the owner was negligent. You must only show you were injured by a dog without provocation on private or public property at the time of the incident.
Understanding Your Rights After a Dog Bite
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, it’s essential to understand your rights and the steps you can take to seek compensation for your injuries. Dog bites can result in serious physical and emotional harm and in some cases, even death. As a victim of a dog bite, you have the right to hold the dog’s owner responsible for their pet’s actions.
In most states, dog owners are liable for any injuries caused by their dogs, regardless of whether the dog has a history of aggression or not. This means that if you’ve been bitten by a dog, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Understanding these rights is crucial in ensuring you receive the justice and compensation you deserve.
What to Do Immediately After a Dog Attack
If you’ve been attacked by a dog, it’s crucial to take immediate action to protect yourself and your rights. Here are some steps you should take:
- Seek medical attention: Dog bites can be serious and may require immediate medical attention. Even if the wound seems minor, it’s essential to get checked out by a doctor to prevent infection and ensure proper treatment.
- Identify the dog owner: If possible, try to identify the dog’s owner and get their contact information. This will be important when filing a claim or lawsuit.
- Document the incident: Take photos of the wound, the dog, and any witnesses. Also, keep a record of any medical treatment and expenses related to the injury.
- Report the incident: Report the dog attack to local animal control or law enforcement. This will help create a record of the incident and may be useful in future legal proceedings.
Taking these steps can help protect your health and strengthen your case if you decide to seek compensation for your injuries.
Identifying the Dog Owner
Identifying the dog owner is a crucial step in seeking compensation for a dog bite injury. If you’re unable to identify the owner, you may be able to find them through:
- Witness statements: If there were any witnesses to the attack, they may be able to provide information about the dog’s owner.
- Animal control: Local animal control may have information about the dog’s owner, especially if the dog has been reported as a stray or has a history of aggression.
- Neighborhood canvassing: If the attack occurred in a residential area, you may be able to find the dog’s owner by canvassing the neighborhood and asking if anyone knows who the dog belongs to.
These methods can help you locate the responsible party and hold them accountable for your injuries.
What to Do Following a Dog Attack if the Owner Is Absent
If you have been bitten by a dog without the owner present, it may be challenging to seek compensation for injuries, as the animal may be a stray. However, if that is not the case, numerous options remain available to locate the owner and hold the responsible party accountable.
The following are steps you should take after a dog attack if the owner is absent:
- Seek medical care and protective measures: You should consider seeking medical attention promptly to prevent infection. Additionally, it may be in your best interest to receive rabies treatment in case the dog is rabid.
- Take videos and pictures of the dog: If you are able, take videos and pictures of the dog. A written description of the dog and the incident may also be used if you cannot get visual evidence. Information on the dog’s tag can also be helpful in identifying the owner.
- Call animal control: Animal control experts can capture and retain the dog, as well as locate the owner.
- Call law enforcement: Report the incident to the police so you have an official record of the attack. Describe the dog and show any pictures and videos you took. The dog may have a history of aggression, and it may be helpful for the police to have this information about the dangerous dog.
- Obtain eyewitness testimony: If you were attacked in your neighborhood, asking your neighbors if they have seen the dog or know its owner can help locate the owner. If you were on private or public property, eyewitness statements can be powerful in seeking compensation when the owner is located.
- Speak with a dog bite lawyer: Working with a dog bite lawyer is essential to seeking compensation in a claim against the owner, as they may have suggestions or avenues for tracking down the owner and providing you with legal guidance on your best next steps.
The lawyers at Goza & Honnold know how traumatic a dog attack may be. However, we take the stress off your shoulders by handling all aspects of your dog bite claim, including helping you locate the owner of the dog that attacked you.
Dog Owner Responsibilities and Negligence
Dog owners have a responsibility to ensure their pets do not harm others. This includes:
- Keeping the dog on a leash: Dog owners should keep their pets on a leash when in public to prevent them from attacking others.
- Providing proper training: Dog owners should provide proper training and socialization to their pets to prevent aggression.
- Warning others: If a dog has a history of aggression, the owner should warn others about the dog’s behavior.
If a dog owner fails to meet these responsibilities and their dog attacks someone, they may be considered negligent and liable for any injuries caused. Responsible dog ownership is crucial in preventing dog attacks and ensuring the safety of the community.
How a Missouri Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help Your Claim
You should not have to pay for the injuries you sustained from a dog attack. The lawyers at Goza & Honnold will work diligently to help you recover the compensation you deserve through insurance policies or seek a legal claim against the responsible party by filing a lawsuit in court.
Why Choose Goza Honnold to Represent You?:
- Decades of personal injury experience
- Successful track record of case results, recovering tens of millions in compensation for our clients
- Diligently fighting to achieve maximum compensation and support your path to recovery
- We handle every aspect of your dog bite case, from the initial consultation to the resolution of your claim
Dog bite claims may be challenging to navigate alone. If the owner is located, he or she may allege that the dog was provoked or you were trespassing on private property. This is why it is essential to work with our experienced legal team. We protect your right to compensation and aggressively advocate for you.
Contact the Dog Bite Lawyers at Goza & Honnold Today
If you were attacked by a dog, locating the owner is a crucial first step in seeking compensation for your injuries. The lawyers at Goza & Honnold have decades of experience with complex dog bite claims and are ready to fight for you.
Schedule a no-cost consultation with one of our highly qualified lawyers by calling (913) 451-3433 or filling out a contact form.
Goza & Honnold, a trusted personal injury law firm serving Missouri and Kansas, is known for our dedication to client advocacy and trial excellence. With a strong focus on auto accidents, medical negligence, and product liability cases, our experienced attorneys work diligently to secure fair outcomes while being fully prepared to take cases to trial when necessary. We work closely with our clients to build strong cases that reflect their unique experiences.