Dog Bites

Dog Bite Legal ActionDog attacks can leave victims dismembered, scarred, emotionally traumatized and worse. According to Dogsbite.org, some dogs are more vicious than others, the worst of them killed 471 people between the years of 2005-2018. As a victim, you have legal rights.

Our dog bite injury lawyers often hear that a particular dog "has never bitten anyone before." By Wisconsin law, that does not matter. Wisconsin has strict liability laws regarding dog bites. The second time a dog attacks someone, the damages are doubled. Dog bites can be severe and life-threatening injuries, especially when involving a larger dog breed and a small child. A dog bite incident can happen to anyone, at any time, and without warning. According to the AVMA, there are more than 4.5 million people bitten by dogs each year (nearly 1 out of every 5 people in the U.S.) Some dog breeds bite more than others, and some breeds cause more damage than others. Many vicious dog attacks require some sort of medical attention.

Wisconsin Dog Leash Law

To combat the problem, there are a few states, including Wisconsin, that have a “dog leash” law. The law is intended to hold dog owners and dog keepers liable for maintaining control of their pets. If this doesn't happen; if the animal is found to be untagged or running off of the owner's premises, this is when the owner can be fined. The law is a protection measure, and gives those who enjoy the outdoors some peace of mind as they go on their way. Laws can't prevent all accidents, and some dogs are more inclined than others to attack and bite.

Wisconsin Dog Owners

Many of us are dog owners. We love our pets and respect the safety of others. We understand the responsibility of keeping dogs on a leash and away from innocent people. However, not all owners are as responsible with their pets. Walking in your own neighborhood can present unexpected and unwanted attention from a dog. Even if a dog owner has their pet on a leash or fenced in yard, dog bite incidents can occur.

Dog bite accidents can cause physical injuries including scars, lacerations, permanent disfigurement, and nerve damage. A dog will often latch on to the face or throat; causing facial lacerations or other serious injuries. A dog tore the tear ducts of one little girl we represented. Postal workers and other delivery employees are often attacked on the arms or legs. Medical issues include infections, nerve damage, lacerations, scars, and permanent disability. In the worst case, dog incidents lead to the loss of life.

Dog Mauling Death

Dog maulings and vicious dog attacks are a very sad, and a serious matter as many result in death to the victim. Extensive research on dog bites was conducted from 2005 - 2018. This research showed that:

  • Canines killed a total of 471 people.
  • Pit Bulls make up only about 7% of the total U.S. dog population (up from 6% in 2016).
  • Yet Pit Bulls were responsible for the large majority of deaths reported.
  • Pit Bulls & Rottweilers combined, contributed to 76% of the total recorded deaths.
  • In 2018, there were 36 U.S. dog bite-related fatalities recorded in the U.S. (up from 31 in 2016).

A dog mauling victim can be a stranger to the canine. However, in many cases, they're a neighbor, family member, or someone who is visiting the home who is familiar to the dog owner.

"But the dog is a family pet …" Many dog bite victims hesitate to make a claim because the dog belongs to a relative or friend. At our law firm, we have one overriding concern; we focus on the best interests of the victim, especially when that victim is a child. The victim needs medical and psychological treatment and compensation for pain and suffering.

Victim of Dog Bite

Attacked by a Dog

If you've been attacked by a dog, learn what your legal rights are. Your initial case evaluation is free. We work on a contingency fee basis, so there are no fees unless we win your claim. At Action Law Offices, we know that a dog bite can cause lifelong physical and psychological scars. We also know that the victims of dog bite accidents are often the most vulnerable people, including children. Dog bites can cause serious injury. These cases are handled as any personal injury lawsuit, and are taken very seriously.

The memory of a dog attack causes emotional trauma. Especially when the victim is a child, a dog bite can lead to nightmares, a fear of all dogs, and disfigurement that leads to emotional stress. The dog bite victim may need psychological treatment in addition to medical treatment.

Compensation for Dog Bite Injuries

You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. If your child or another family member was injured by a dog, you can focus on medical care for the injuries and critical rabies testing while we handle the concerns about legal matters. Our dog bite attorneys can help you pursue a claim for expenses and suffering caused by the attack. We have handled a variety of cases involving dog attacks which resulted in bites, various injuries, or even death.

When one client walking his pet was attacked by another dog, the attacking dog's owner was held accountable. When a dog ran in front of our client's motorcycle, the animal was killed and the motorcyclist was disabled. The dog's owner was held accountable. An experienced dog bite lawyer at Action Law Offices knows how to investigate these types of injuries and hold responsible parties accountable.