Dog bites are often unexpected, yet, even docile and friendly dogs can and do bite humans. Dog owners are often surprised when they suffer a dog bite injury for the first time. Dog bites can happen anywhere, including the park, in the owner’s home, or while walking along a sidewalk. Dog bites are usually traumatic events that cause physical and emotional injuries to the dog bite victims.
At Jones Kahan Law, LLC, we understand the difficulties involved in recovering from dog bites. A high proportion of dog bite victims are children who can suffer severe injuries and become permanently scarred from dog bites. If you or a loved one have suffered a dog bite injury in Ohio or Nothern Kentucky, we can help. Contact our skilled personal injury attorneys today to schedule your initial consultation. After understanding the facts of your case, we can fight for your right to compensation for your injuries.
The seriousness of dog bite injuries depends on the size of the dog and how long the attack lasted. Even single bites can cause torn skin and bruises. When a large dog bites a child on the face, the child might suffer a facial injury, particularly if the dog tears the child’s skin. Dog bite injuries can include all of the following:
Dog bite injuries can cause fatal infections, such as tetanus and rabies. The Pediatrics Medical Journal published a report studying dog bite-related fatalities over six years. The study found that 57 percent of dog bite fatalities involved children ten and younger. Additionally, 59 percent of the deaths involved an unrestrained dog that bit someone while on its owner’s property. Only 22 percent of the fatalities involved a dog biting someone while off the owner’s property. Finally, 10 percent of the dog bite fatalities involved infants who were asleep at the time of the bite. The study demonstrated that some dog breeds were more likely to bite humans fatally. Many different breeds caused fatal dog bites, but the following breeds were the most common culprits for dog bites:
Ohio’s dog bite law states that a dog owner, keeper or harborer is liable for an injury caused by their dog when:
Ohio’s law is somewhat unique because it allows injured parties to bring lawsuits against individuals who are not the dog’s owners. For example, if an individual was watching or “dog sitting” someone else’s dog and the dog bites a victim, the dog sitter could be liable for the injuries.
Additionally, if a dog owned by someone’s significant other or roommate bites a guest, the roommate might be liable even if he or she doesn’t own the dog. Ohio residents who are keeping or harboring dogs for someone else, whether on a paid or unpaid basis, should use caution to prevent the dog from biting.
Ohio is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites. When a dog bites someone in Ohio, the dog’s owner or keeper is responsible for the damages caused by the injuries. Even if the dog had never bitten someone before or shown any signs of aggressiveness, the owner or keeper is still liable for the damages.
Some Ohio cities prohibit the ownership of certain breeds of dogs. Cleveland, Toledo, and Cincinnati, along with many other cities, ban or restrict the ownership of pit bulls and other dangerous breeds. Dog owners and keepers who own a pit bull that bites another individual may face fines from their local government in addition to liability from a personal injury lawsuit.
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