Common Causes of Dog Bites in Montgomery

Many people around the country seek medical attention for dog bites each year, and some of these incidents result in fatalities or severe injuries to children. If a dog bite leaves you requiring medical treatment, you will want to know why the incident happened and if the owner is liable for your injuries.

Understanding the common causes of dog bites in Montgomery can help you make sense of the accident and what legal options are available. Under Alabama law, you must meet three requirements to qualify for compensation under strict liability. If you do not meet one or more of these requirements, our dog bite attorney, Dwayne L. Brown, can explain whether your situation supports a negligence claim. Remember, you owe us nothing unless we win your case.

State Law on Dog Owner Liability

Courts can hold a dog owner responsible for compensation after an attack, but you must meet three requirements under Alabama Code § 3-6-1, which makes the owner strictly liable for your injuries, even if the dog has no history of aggression.

You must not have provoked the dog, the bite must have occurred on the owner’s property, and you must have had a legal right to be on the property where the bite took place. State law may make an exception if you were on the property immediately before the attack and the dog chased you off the property before biting you.

A negligence claim may also be appropriate if a dog leaves the owner’s property and injures someone in a public area. Knowing the common triggers of attacks can help you recognize warning signs and protect yourself around Montgomery dog owners, especially since state laws are precise and complex. A dog owner can claim you provoked the attack, and under the pure comparative negligence rule, if you are at fault for even one percent of your injuries, your claim will fail.

What Are Common Causes of Dog Attacks?

Dogs are protective animals, whether they are guarding their toys, owners, or puppies. Herding breeds like German shepherds often show even stronger protective instincts. Female dogs are fiercely protective after giving birth, so you should use caution around newborn litters. Montgomery residents should be aware of other frequent reasons dogs attack, including:

• Redirecting aggression toward humans who try to intervene in a dog fight
• Asserting dominance over humans, especially by unneutered males and certain breeds such as English sheepdogs
• Feeling agitated by human contact when in pain or discomfort, for instance, hugging a dog with a painful toothache
• Reacting to sudden movements and noise by people the dog perceives as closing in on it, often strangers such as dog groomers and veterinarians

Remember that every dog has limits, and children especially should learn to read behavioral cues such as growling, nipping, baring teeth, or hiding. Children may think they are just playing, but a dog can show its discomfort with a bite. However, if your child is injured in an unprovoked attack, you have the right to pursue an injury claim, and our firm can help.

Call Our Montgomery Team to Discuss Common Causes of Dog Attacks

Dog attacks deserve serious attention. Infections can happen easily, and people may suffer severe injuries as a result of a bite. Understanding the common causes of dog bites in Montgomery may not prevent an attack, but it can help you recognize risks sooner.

Our attorney, Dwayne L. Brown, has 31 years of experience resolving personal injury claims and, with his dedicated team of paralegals, can keep you informed about your case. If you have suffered injuries as a result of a dog bite, call us today for compassionate counsel and learn how our team works to protect your interests.