Dog Bites

Dog bite laws vary greatly from state to state, but in many states landlords can also sometimes be held liable for injuries caused by their tenants’ dogs. But isn’t “every dog entitled to one bite?” In a word, no. That saying is an imprecise paraphrase of old English laws under which dog owners generally would not be held accountable for their pet’s “first bite” unless the owner knew or should have known that the dog had a propensity to bite.

After the first bite, the owner would be deemed to have been put on notice and could be held liable for any subsequent incidents. Even under that rule, which may still be in effect in some states, a dog may not actually have to bite someone for the owner to be put on notice that it is likely to bite someone. A dog’s habit of snarling and lunging at passersby, for example, might be enough to alert the

owner of the dog’s dangerous nature. A dog bite claim can develop into a complex case. If you have been injured due to a dog bite, call Personal Injury Lawyer Cheryl Blum at 520-795-4900 or complete the form as soon as possible.