Exploring Your Legal Options After An Unlawful Dog Attack

Meaghan Kleine Blog

The dog days of summer are quickly approaching, marked by sweltering heat waves and uncomfortable humidity. The rapid rise in temperature makes venturing out of the house unpleasant…but it’s not exactly something you can avoid when you have a dog.

Like their human counterparts, most of our canine pals feel distressed and tense when the summer heat arrives. Unfortunately, this can lead to an increase in aggressive behavior and dog bite attacks.

Regardless of whether you own a dog or not, you should always be prepared and alert for possible dog bites. Let’s explore how to prevent dog bites, the Arkansas code for unlawful dog attacks, and your legal rights after being bitten.

 

How To Avoid A Dog Bite

Now, you might be thinking, “My dog Fido has never bitten anyone before, he’s a good pup!” But that line of thinking will not prevent a dog bite attack and can leave you susceptible to an expensive lawsuit.

 

 

Regardless of your dog’s previous behavior, you should always be alert and aware of a potential bite — especially in the hot summer heat. Here’s some helpful tricks to help keep your dog cool:

  • Take them for walks during the early morning and late evening when the temperatures are cooler.
  • Avoid children and strangers. Do not let unknown people pet your dog.
  • Make sure your dog has plenty of cold drinking water.
  • Do not leave them outside in the sun for long periods of time.
  • Monitor their temperament and give them space when they appear restless.

 

If you follow these tips, the chance your dog bites someone should decrease. However, accidents happen. In the event of a dog bite, let’s review the Arkansas code regarding unlawful dog attacks and the responsibilities of the pet owner.

 

What To Do Following An Unlawful Dog Attack

Dog attacks are incredibly stressful for the dog, the owner, and the victim. Most of our fluffy canine friends don’t want to hurt people, but a bite may be the only way they can tell someone to back off. Unfortunately, depending upon the severity of the attack, the victim could be left with lifelong pain, suffering, and a decreased quality of life.

 

The Victim

As a victim of a dog attack, there are a few vital pieces of information that you need to gather, depending upon the severity of the bite.

If the dog has broken the skin, you’ll need to seek medical attention — the chances of developing an infection are high and you’ll want antibiotics to avoid potential life-threatening injuries. In addition, if the wound is large, the victim may need stitches for the injury to properly heal.

Even if you don’t have broken skin, you’ll still want to visit a doctor to document the injury. This is beneficial in case any complications arise after the bite.

 

 

If you don’t need immediate medical help, gather the names and phone numbers of the dog owner and possible witnesses to the attack. If the dog owner is unwilling to provide information, make note of the type of dog, features of the dog owner, or make and model of their car to provide to the police.

As always, be sure to contact the police to make a report.

 

The Dog Owner (Defendant) and Canine

The unthinkable has happened — your dog has attacked another individual, leaving them with an injury. Remain calm and exchange information with the affected individual. If you leave the scene and refuse to cooperate, this will reflect poorly in the court of law.

According to the Arkansas code, a dog owner should take action if they are aware that their dog will attack others without reason. This can include muzzling a dog, avoiding high-traffic areas, and trying to prevent unsavory interactions with strangers.

Additionally, Arkansas code states that a dog owner should not allow their canine to attack another person, especially if the attack causes injury or death. Essentially, this means the dog owner should not step back and let an attack happen — they should be actively trying to restrain their pet.

 

 

The majority of judges across the U.S. will review the “One Bite Rule.” If a dog has bitten in the past and has another occurrence, the owner will be responsible for failing to protect innocent bystanders from an attack.

 

Bitten By A Dog? Contact Hickey & Hull For Representation

Are you suffering from extensive pain and expensive medical bills following a dog attack? Consult with the paralegals and attorneys at Hickey & Hull. Our team of professionals are trained in personal injury law and can help you seek the compensation that you deserve.

Don’t wait — prospective clients can message us and schedule a consultation at one of our five Arkansas locations today!