Charlotte Injury Lawyers Blog
Dog Bite Injuries in North Carolina
Dogs are the most popular pets in the United States. More than 65 million U.S. households own at least one dog. People often think of their dog as a member of their family. On average, people spend about $1,500 a year to care for their dogs. While dogs are often considered among the most docile of all pets, dog bites still happen with some frequency. Unfortunately, dog bites can be extremely painful and they may require extensive medical care. A negligent dog owner may be responsible for the costs associated with the results of a dog bite.
Are Dogs Required to Be on a Leash?
Leash laws generally vary by jurisdiction. In the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County there are laws in place that require all dogs to be on leashes when in public. Dogs must be on a leash or in a fenced yard or yard fenced with an invisible fence. When in your own yard with your dog your dog may be off leash as long as an adult is next to the dog or the dog responds to verbal commands of the person. When walking in a neighborhood or park not designated as a dog park, you must have your dog on a leash at all times.
Managing Member Matt Arnold discusses the importance of leash laws in North Carolina and highlights dog bites as a serious personal injury matter. Watch now!
Who is Liable for a Dog Bite Injury?
Dogs are animals and their owners are generally responsible for their actions. North Carolina generally utilizes the “one bite rule” when it comes to dog bites. This means that an owner may not necessarily be liable for dog bite injuries if this is the first time their dog has bitten someone. This can vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In North Carolina, an owner is strictly liable for their dog when it is deemed dangerous. This means that the owner is on notice because the dog has already been aggressive, bitten someone, or has been deemed a dangerous dog.
What are Dangerous Dogs?
North Carolina law states that a dangerous dog is a dog that has severely injured or killed a person without provocation or a dog designated as dangerous by a local or governmental agency. A dog used for fighting is also deemed to be dangerous. A dog may also be considered potentially dangerous for certain acts such as causing injury to a person or approaching someone in a terrorizing manner, among other things.
Some breeds, such as pit bulls, Dobermans, and rottweilers, are often considered aggressive dogs, as are hybrid wolves. Some jurisdictions, neighborhoods, and homeowners associations or apartments have bans on dangerous dogs. Generally, a dog owner must have a permit to own a dog in their jurisdiction. Some homeowners insurance companies will not provide policies to owners of dangerous dogs. Owning a dangerous dog can be considered negligent if the dog subsequently causes harm to someone.
Dog bites can cause serious physical and emotional harm. If you or a loved one were injured by a dog, you may be owed money for your damages. The negligent dog owner may be responsible for paying your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Call Arnold & Smith, PLLC, today at (704) 370-2828 to schedule a free initial consultation.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.
Source:
https://codes.findlaw.com/nc/chapter-67-dogs/nc-gen-st-sect-67-4-1/
Image Credit:
https://www.freeimages.com/photo/nansen-the-dog-1560665
See Our Related Video from our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/ArnoldSmithPLLC/videos
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Liability and Compensation for Dog Bite Injuries in North Carolina