Baton Rouge Dog Bite Lawyer

How Many Dog Bites Happen Every Year?

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), more than 4.5 million Americans suffer from dog bites every year, and approximately 800,000 of those dog bite victims seek medical attention.

Medical treatment for dog bite injuries could range between a few stitches and reconstructive surgery. It all depends on the severity of the dog attack.

Unfortunately, a child is the most common victim of a dog attack. Additionally, children are the most likely to suffer from severe dog-related injuries. That’s because most children love dogs and don’t know any better. They may see a cute dog at the park, try to pet it or play with it, and not recognize its aggressive behavior until it’s too late.

What is Considered a Dangerous Dog in Louisiana?

Louisiana RS 14:102:14 defines a dangerous dog as one that:

• Required someone to defend themselves from two separate dog bite incidents over the last 3 years while not being on the dog owner’s property.
• Attacked or bit a person without being provoked first.
• Caused severe injuries or death to another animal at least twice over the last 3 years while not on the dog owner’s property.

Dogs that are trained to serve in search and rescue missions and in the local police department are the only ones exempt from these rules.

Louisiana Dog Leash Laws

If a Louisianan owns a dog that fits the “dangerous dog” criteria, they must do what they can to protect the public from further attacks.

Firstly, owners of dangerous dogs must restrain their animal on a leash at all times while out in public. They must also keep their dog inside their house, a pen, or a fenced yard while it’s on private property. Lastly, a dangerous dog owner must have an appropriate warning sign on their property that says something like “beware of dog” or “dangerous dog.” Failure to follow these rules, especially after a previous animal attack, can result in penalties.

Dog Bite Laws in Louisiana

Each state differs in dog bite rules. Some states follow the “one bite rule,” which basically means that a dog owner has one free bite before victims can file a personal injury claim for their dog’s aggressive behavior.

Dog bite law is different in Louisiana. Our state is considered a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites. This means that if you or a loved one is attacked by a dog unprovoked, and if you had permission to be on the property, the dog owner may be held liable for the injuries you sustained. However, in dog bite cases where it can be proved that the dog was provoked or the dog bite recipient was trespassing, potential monetary awards may be reduced or even eliminated altogether.

This is why it’s best to have an experienced attorney on your side. The Law Offices of Ossie Brown can review your case, determine if you have grounds to sue the dog owner, and calculate the approximate amount of damages you could receive.

Common Types of Dog Bite Injuries

Many dog bite victims suffer a serious injury from their attack. Common injuries sustained from dog bites include:

• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Deep lacerations and puncture wounds in the face, head, neck, and limbs
• Nerve damage
• Eye damage and/or vision loss
• Infections and viruses such as rabies or tetanus
• Finger or toe amputations
• Emotional trauma such as PTSD, increased anxiety around animals, depression, panic attacks, etc.
• In rare cases, wrongful death

If you have suffered one or more of these injuries in your dog bite case, you have grounds to contact a Baton Rouge dog bite lawyer at the Law Offices of Ossie Brown. Our experienced legal team has been successfully litigating dog bite injury claims for decades. We empathize with the physical and emotional trauma sustained from a serious attack, and we can help you receive appropriate compensation from the owner of the dog.