No, if your dog bites someone, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will be put down. We often get questions like, “Do dogs get put down if they bite someone?” It’s a legitimate concern for pet owners.
Courts in Connecticut will first consider what happened during the dog attack and whether your dog is considered vicious. While your dog may not initially be euthanized, it will have to be quarantined and assessed before further action is taken.
Dog owners can be held liable for the injuries caused by their dog. That’s why speaking with an attorney is crucial after an event like this. Consulting a Connecticut dog bite lawyer from the Tehrani Law Group can help you determine how to proceed. Our offices in Glastonbury, Manchester, and East Hartford have assisted pet owners concerned about their dog’s future as well as survivors of animal attacks.
Below is some information that can help guide concerned dog owners after their pet has attacked someone.
“My Dog Bit Someone, Now What?”
If your dog has bitten or attacked someone, follow these steps in order to protect you and your pet.
- Remain calm and make sure your dog is secure
- Seek immediate help for the injured person
- Exchange contact information with the person who’s been bitten or attacked
- Document the incident by taking photos or video
- Report the dog bite to the authorities
- Provide proof that your dog has been vaccinated for rabies
- Contact your insurance provider
Understanding What Happens After a Dog Bites Someone in Connecticut
Dog bites are scary situations where one dog attacks a person or another dog. Dogs have strong jaws that can tear through skin, muscles, and other tissues. There are different types of dog bites, and the severity of the injury will be closely considered and monitored when determining what happens to a dog after a bite.
Connecticut Laws Related to Dog Bites
When a dog bites someone, the circumstances of the situation can make a difference in what happens next. For example, if a dog is loose on another person’s property when it attacks a person or their livestock, that property owner has the right to kill the dog during the attack and must report the incident afterward. However, in other situations, a dog may be quarantined after a bite to determine how to proceed.
According to Connecticut Statute § 22-358, dogs must be quarantined for 14 days after a bite to make sure they do not have rabies or show other dangerous signs of aggression. If the attack happened on an owner’s property, the dog may be quarantined there. However, if it happened elsewhere, the dog may be kept at an animal shelter or veterinary office. Dogs will undergo medical tests and observation. Dog owners will be required to pay for the associated quarantine fees.
Disciplinary Actions That May Be Taken After a Dog Bite Accident
After a dog has finished its quarantine period, officials will decide how to proceed. They will look at the severity of the bite, whether the dog has shown additional aggressive behaviors, and the conditions under which it initially attacked. In minor situations, a dog may be returned to its owner with minimal repercussions, while additional action may be required in more severe situations. In these cases, dog owners may be required to adhere to certain requirements.
Restraint Requirements
If there is a moderate to elevated risk that a dog could react negatively or aggressively again in other situations, dog owners may be required to follow strict restraint requirements. They may be required to restrict their dog to their property and make sure that proper measures are taken to constrain the dog at all times. Local officials have the right to take a dog away from their owner if the owner does not follow designated requirements.
Euthanasia
If a dog tests positive for rabies, causes excessive injury, or is deemed too aggressive, officials may require the dog to be euthanized. This step is avoided when possible, but may be allowed when necessary to protect the public. An Animal Control Officer will notify you of this decision and take the dog to put it to sleep. Depending on the situation, you may have the right to appeal a euthanasia order.
Dog Owners Are Held Strictly Liable When Their Dog Bites Another Person
If your dog is responsible for biting someone, there will be legal repercussions for you as the owner. Dog owners are held strictly liable for their dogs in Connecticut. This means that regardless of the dog’s history, you are responsible for making sure the dog is under your control or restrained at all times. If your dog bites someone, you, or your insurance company, is responsible for paying for the damages it causes and the resulting medical expenses.
Why Dog Owners Should Speak with an Attorney
It is essential to consult a dog bite attorney in Connecticut after a dog bite occurs. These situations can be complex, and determining how to move forward can heavily depend on the specific details of the dog bite accident, the extent of the injury, the temperament of the dog, and more. A lawyer can provide clarity on your liability, options, and legal rights, answer your dog bite questions, and guide you through the process to resolve a claim.
Liability Exceptions and Defenses for Dog Owners After an Accident in Connecticut
In Connecticut Statute § 22-357, three instances are recognized where a dog owner can be shielded from liability in the event of an attack: trespassing, teasing a dog, or children under 7 years old.
While dogs should take steps at all times to prevent a dog bite, these situations are considered exceptions because another party was in the wrong and has limited rights as a result. A closer look at each exception highlights why these exceptions exist.
Trespassing
If a dog attacks someone who was trespassing on your property, you may not be held liable for the attack. This is because the victim did not have the right to be on your property in the first place. Since trespassers are not owed a duty of care in most instances, you can demonstrate that the dog was defending the property or inhabitants from the intruder.
Provocation of the Dog
Another exception that may apply and limit your liability is if a dog attacks a person who was intentionally provoking it. This could include intentional and persistent teasing, torment, mistreatment, or abuse of the dog by another person. If a dog bites in these situations, then the dog is viewed as defending itself against another person’s actions against it.
Children Under 7 Years of Age
If a dog bites a child who is under the age of 7, you, as the dog’s owner, may be absolved from liability. As the dog owner, you must be able to show that a child was either trespassing or provoking the dog, as there is a general assumption otherwise that a child is not engaging in these activities.
How Comparative Negligence Can Impact a Dog Bite Case
There may be times when both you and the victim share fault for a dog bite. In these instances, comparative negligence laws apply to the situation. Since both parties contributed to the accident, both are held liable. This also means that your level of liability as the dog owner is reduced, and you do not have to cover the full cost of the other party’s damages.
Understanding Modified Comparative Negligence in Connecticut
According to Connecticut’s modified comparative negligence law, any compensation an individual is entitled to receive will be reduced by the level of fault that they contributed to the accident. Parties are often assigned a percentage that represents their level of fault, which is used when calculating damages. If a party is less than 50% at fault, they are eligible to recover compensation, but those over 50% at fault are prohibited from recovering compensation at all.
An Example of Comparative Negligence in a Dog Attack
To understand this better, consider this example.
You and your dog are out in public when you get caught up talking to your friend. Because you are distracted, you do not pay attention to what your dog is doing or that your grip on their leash is too loose. Meanwhile, another person is teasing your dog and, fed up, your dog lunges and bites the other person.
In this scenario, you are liable for failing to watch and properly restrain your dog, while the other party is liable for provoking your dog.
How Statute of Limitations Can Impact Liability After a Connecticut Dog Bite
Your liability as a dog owner is also impacted by the statute of limitations for dog bites. A victim has two years to file a claim to recover compensation for the injuries and losses they sustained because of your dog. If they fail to pursue a claim before this period of time expires, then they assume financial responsibility for their expenses. At this point, you can no longer be held liable for compensating them for the damages your dog caused.
Why a Two-Year Deadline Is in Place
The purpose of these restricted timelines is to make sure claims are filed in a reasonable amount of time and are not left open-ended. It also allows you to be absolved of liability. Additionally, if you have a right to seek compensation for injuries you also sustained in a shared fault dog bite incident, you must also act within the same period of time or risk loss of compensation. If you are unsure how to proceed given the situation, contact a dog bite lawyer in Connecticut.
You Can Take Important Steps to Minimize Risks and Prevent Dog Bites
The best way to keep a dog from biting someone and avoid legal issues is to take proactive, preventative measures. Even if your dog has never shown any signs of aggression, you must still take steps to ensure they do not engage in such actions. All dogs, even calm ones, are capable of aggressive behavior if they are afraid or angry. Below are some key practices to utilize for dog bite prevention.
Invest In Dog Training
Enroll your dog in obedience training to make sure they understand basic commands and good behavior. While it is most effective to do this when your dog is a puppy, they can still benefit from it later in life if you did not get them when they were young. It is also important to learn how to communicate with your dog through commands, leash training, and good habits and routines. Together, you and your dog can build a stronger, more trusting relationship and reduce the risk of a negative incident or bite.
Socialize Your Dog As Much As Possible
Socializing your dog can be very beneficial in reducing reactivity in dogs. The more they get used to other stimuli, people, and dogs, the less likely they will be afraid or show aggression. However, every dog is different, and these efforts may not always be possible. Use caution when introducing your dog to people or other dogs, and socialize them to the best of your ability. It is often ideal to do this when dogs are still young and learning about the world around them.
Use Secure Restraints
It is your responsibility to keep your dog under control, whether that is on a leash in public or shared living spaces, or within fenced areas on your property. It is important to make sure that fences, leashes, harnesses, and/or muzzles are all secure and stable to prevent a dog from getting loose and hurting someone. This reduces the risk that your dog may cause damage or injury to another person or animal.
Supervise Your Dog and Be Ready To Act
Always monitor your dog. Even if they are in an enclosed space alone, make sure that they do not get out. When your dog is interacting with other humans or dogs, watch them closely for signs of fear or aggression. Be proactive and ready to react if you notice your dog exhibiting unwanted behavior. You should also act quickly if you notice that your dog is the target of unwanted attention, and remove them from the situation before the situation escalates or they react.
Keep Your Dog’s Vaccinations Updated
While not directly related to preventing bites, making sure your dog’s rabies shot is up-to-date is essential. Not only is this required by law, but it also reduces the risk of passing the disease to other people. Other vaccines can also help reduce the spread of bacteria and disease in the event that your dog should bite another human or animal.
Contact Tehrani Law Group About Your Dog Attack
The Tehrani Law Group is ready to help individuals who have been affected by dog bites. We know that the aftermath can be scary, emotional, and uncertain. We provide trusted counsel for how to proceed and discuss your options with you. Our team works diligently to resolve the issue as swiftly as possible. To learn more about how we can serve you, contact our Connecticut law firm today to schedule a free consultation with our team.