Dog owners are responsible for dogs that have previously bitten someone, or shown aggressive behavior toward another person in the past. Even if the dog failed to make physical contact in the past, the owner can be held liable for a victim’s injuries and damages because they knew the dog had a potentially aggressive nature. The owner in this case would be held liable under a negligence ruling because they failed to take precautions to ensure that the animal did not have contact with the victim.

In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, dog owners may also face criminal charges if their dog presents a known danger. The law requires a dangerous dog to be enclosed in a secure area or on a leash with a muzzle whenever the dog is outside of the owner’s house.

If a dangerous dog gets off the owner’s property or gets away from the owner’s grasp and hurts another person or animal, the dog’s owner could face criminal misdemeanor charges. Fences on the owner’s property should be high enough that the dog cannot jump or climb over its boundaries. Gates on fences need to be securely locked to prevent the dog from exiting the yard, and openings in fencing should be small enough to avoid contact with curious children and adults.

Victims of dog attacks have a right to protect themselves by any means possible, including killing the animal that is attacking them or someone else. Most of the time, dogs will bite and then retreat; but in other circumstances, the attack can be sustained and cause fatal injuries. To protect your legal rights if you are bitten by a dog, there are certain steps you should follow.

When possible, get the name, address, and phone number of the dog’s owner and from any available witnesses at the scene of the attack. Get immediate medical attention to ensure the bite is properly cleaned, disinfected, and evaluated. Report the bite to local and state authorities so that the animal can be observed for signs of rabies. If you believe your injuries are severe, contact a reputable and experienced personal injury dog bite lawyer as soon as possible.