Our pets are family, and they provide us with endless companionship and affection. So much so that we often fail to remember that pets are animals and can react in unexpected ways. We can also fail to appreciate that other dogs may be dangerous, and their owners may not be as responsible or caring toward them as we are. 

Dog bites? While some only cause minor injuries, others can be extremely damaging and, in some cases, even fatal. If you’ve been the victim of a dog bite, what should you do, and how do you know when you should involve the services of a lawyer? Let the Philadelphia dog bite lawyers at Silver & Silver offer some insight into the world of Pennsylvania dog bite law. 

When Man’s Best Friend Isn’t All That Friendly

Data tells us that approximately 4.5 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs annually. Even the most docile pets can bite or attack if they feel defensive of their territory, are unwell, or have been provoked. These bites and attacks can result in a whole spectrum of injuries, from minor scratches to serious infections to life-altering scarring and disfigurement. In the worst cases, as we’ve seen in recent local media reports, these attacks can even result in fatalities. 

What is the Owner’s Responsibility After a Dog Bite Injury in Philadelphia?

Dog owners in Pennsylvania are strictly liable for any injuries caused by their pets. This means that the dog’s owner is responsible for a victim’s injuries and other damages caused by their pet, regardless of whether the dog has exhibited any aggression in the past.

Have you been bitten by a dog? In the case of strict liability, unless you were on the property unlawfully or you provoked the dog in some way, you can seek compensation from the dog’s owner if you’ve suffered injuries from the bite or attack. You may be able to seek compensation for your hospital or other medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, or emotional anguish you’ve suffered. You may even be entitled to compensation for potential future costs if your injuries were severe enough to impact you long-term. 

A dog bite can cause more than puncture wounds. Because dogs attack with gnashing teeth and tend to target the face and extremities, dog bites and attacks can cause a multitude of harm. These include:

• Lacerations and cuts
• Fractures and crush injuries
• Tendon damage
• Soft tissue damage
• Nerve damage to the affected area
• Serious infections
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of eyes
• Amputation
• Emotional distress
• PTSD

These injuries can be especially harmful to children and elderly adults. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured due to a dog bite, you should get skilled legal advice. 

Pennsylvania’s Dangerous Dog Laws

In Pennsylvania, we also have the Dangerous Dog Law that imposes additional legal responsibilities on the dog’s owner if their animal has been found to be a dangerous dog.

A dog can be considered dangerous if:

• It has seriously injured or killed a person on private or public property without provocation 
• It has attacked a person without provocation
• It has killed or seriously injured another domestic animal without provocation while off the dog owner’s property
• It has been used in a crime

The animal must also have a history or established propensity of attacking people or other domestic animals without being provoked.

Because the owner is subject to added responsibilities when keeping a dangerous dog, the victim of a bite or attack has stronger legal remedies available to them. Depending on the circumstances, the dog’s owner may also be charged with a criminal offense.

What Should You Do if You’ve Been Bitten by a Dog in Philadelphia?

If you’ve suffered a dog bite, your priority is your health and welfare. Clean the wound thoroughly and seek immediate medical attention. If possible, get photos of the injuries before anyone attends to the wound.

Other steps you should take immediately after a dog bite include:

• Identify the dog’s owner. You or someone else should get the dog owner’s name and contact information and request proof of recent vaccinations. If you aren’t sure who the owner is and the dog ran away from the area, you may have to undergo costly and uncomfortable rabies shots of your own.  
• You or your medical provider must report the dog bite to the City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health. When you report the bite, you will want to have a description of the dog, who owns it and where it lives, how the bite occurred, and how the dog behaved. If the owner is unknown, ask anyone who witnessed the incident whether they had seen the animal in the vicinity before and which way it traveled. This report provides an important paper trail to enforce regulations and support an injury claim. 
• Try to gather more information. The dog’s license may contain information regarding the animal’s previous history, whether it had bitten another person or animal beside you, or if the animal has been designated dangerous by the local authorities.
• Consider consulting a Philadelphia dog bite lawyer. An attorney can advise you on your next actions, whether you might be covered under the owner’s homeowners policy, or what other legal recourse you may have. 

Get the Guidance of Our Experienced Philadelphia Dog Bite Lawyers

If you’ve been injured in a dog bite incident, you may have the right to seek compensation for your injuries. The experienced Philadelphia dog bite lawyers at Silver & Silver can help you understand your rights and get the recovery you deserve. Call us at (610) 638-7255 or contact us through our website contact form to schedule a no-cost consultation. You pay no legal fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

Disclosure:

This website is designed to provide only general information. The information presented on this website is not formal legal advice. You should not rely on any general information from any source for making legal decisions. Each legal matter is unique and requires specific attention from a qualified and experienced attorney. Unless a representation agreement has been signed with the Law Offices of Silver and Silver, we are not your legal representatives.