Dog Bites:

Dog Bite Lawsuits: Dog Bites, or more generally, any injury caused by any animal kept by a defendant, can give rise to a personal injury claim. To be successful, typically you have to prove that the animal was kept or owned by the defendant.

You don't, however, have to prove actual knowledge of the animal's vicious propensity. In the past you had to prove that the owner new or should have know about the dangerous propensities of the animal. This was once called the "First Bite Rule", which in effect allowed the animal to injure one person without being held responsible. Any subsequent "bite" would then hold the owner liable for the animal's actions.

Now, if the owner is proven to be negligent in any manner, such as not properly restraining an animal, the owner may be held liable, even if the animal had never shown a violent side before.

If you, or a loved one, have been injured by an animal, owned or kept by someone else, please contact a personal injury attorney immediately.