Chattanooga Dog Bite Lawyers
Dogs can be very loyal and affectionate pets, however, without the proper training, care, and safety precautions, a dog can become aggressive and vicious. A dog can bite out of anger, fear, defense, or just general bad temper and it is the negligence and inexperience of dog owners that usually instigate such behavior.
Causes of Dog Attacks in Tennessee
A dog owner has a responsibility to care, train, and house their dog properly. Although all people need to be aware of how to behave appropriately around dogs, it is the owner's responsibility to take safety precautions as well as reinforce positive behavior and train-out negative behaviors. Negative behaviors, such as growling, general aggression, destruction of property, biting, nervousness, and chasing may be caused or worsened by a negligent and/or inexperienced owner. Causes of aggression in dogs can include:
- Low-level, or lack of exercise, such as walking, running, and hiking;
- Malnutrition;
- Lack of routine and/or discipline;
- Long-term confinement;
- Abuse; and
- Rabies.
A dog owner is responsible for making sure that their dog has been given all vaccinations, especially the recurring rabies vaccination. If a dog owner forgoes this duty and the dog contracts rabies, and attacks someone, then the owner may be liable.
Dog bites in Chattanooga can cause very serious injuries. Even a minor dog bite can cause a severe infection if not treated immediately. If a dog owner in Tennessee has an aggressive or vicious dog, and does not take the proper safety precautions to ensure that the dog is not allowed near others, especially children, the owner can be held accountable for any injuries their dog causes.
Tennessee Dog Bite Laws
According to Tennessee Code Annotated Section 44-8-413, "The owner of a dog has a duty to keep that dog under reasonable control at all times, and to keep that dog from running at large. A person who breaches that duty is subject to civil liability for any damages suffered by a person who is injured by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in or on the private property of another."
In addition, the dog owner may be held liable whether or not the dog has previously shown aggressive tendencies as well as whether or not the owner knew of the dog's aggressive tendencies.
There are exceptions to this law, however. Liability may not be imposed on the dog's owner if:
- The dog acted in its official duty as a police or military dog;
- The injured person was trespassing on the nonresidential, private property of the owner;
- The injury occurred while the dog was protecting its owner from attack;
- The injury occurred while the dog was in a crate, or other enclosure; and
- The injured person had been disturbing, harassing, alarming, or otherwise provoking the dog.
Furthermore, Tennessee code (44-8-408) states that the owner of a dog commits an offense if the dog goes uncontrolled on the property of another, without their consent, or on public property, such as a highway, street, or other public space.
Holding Negligent Dog Owners Responsible
An uncontrolled, aggressive dog threatens the safety of all those around it and a dog owner is responsible for the actions of their dog. If you or a loved one has been bitten by an unprovoked dog in Tennessee, then you may be able to hold the dog's owner liable for medical treatments, pain and suffering, and other losses or damages associated with your injury. At Massey & Associates, PC, our experienced Chattanooga dog bite injury attorneys can examine the details surrounding your dog bite injury and advise you on the best course of legal action. Call us today for a free case evaluation at (423) 697-4529.
