Dog Bites/Animal Injuries

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, otherwise known as the CDC, more than 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs yearly.  In Wisconsin, dog owners are strictly liable, which means they are liable regardless of any fault, for the full amount of damages or injuries caused by their animal to another animal, human being or property.

If an owner has already been notified or knew his or her dog had previously injured another person, animal or property, they may be liable for two times the amount of damages caused, also known as “double damages.”

Here are some more statistics:

• Each year, 800,000 Americans seek medical attention for dog bites; half of these are children.

• Of those injured, 386,000 require treatment in an emergency department and about twelve die yearly.

• The rate of dog bite-related injuries is highest for children ages 5 – 9 years, and the rate decreases as children age.

• Almost two-thirds of injuries among children ages four years and younger are to the head or neck region.

(Statistics from Dog Bite: Fact Sheet, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

According to a well-publicized report, between 1979 and 1998, two breeds accounted for 60 percent of all attacks that resulted in death: pit bulls and Rottweilers.  

(See Sacks, Sinclair, Gilchrist, Golab and Lockwood, Breeds of Dogs Involved in Fatal Human Attacks in the United States Between 1979 and 1998, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Vol. 217 (2000)).

Animal attacks, whether by dogs or other domestic animals, may result in permanent disfiguring injuries, even with the advances of plastic surgery.

Beyond dogs, an owner of any other domestic animal must properly restrain the animal to prevent the animal from escaping or causing damage or injury to another person or someone else’s property.  Thus, for example, in rural areas, a person who owns or keeps horses, cows, or other livestock must use proper fencing to keep their animals from escaping and venturing onto roadways, and must timely and properly repair or replace any fencing that may fall down due to weather, damage, or age.

If you or your loved one has suffered an animal attack, we may be able to assist you.  You may be entitled to recover reasonable compensation for various aspects including past medical bills, lost wages, pain & suffering, and any resulting permanent disfigurement.

It won’t cost you any more to hire great lawyers, so contact us today.  Let us put our expertise and experience to work for you.

Click here for additional information and helpful links involving Animal Law in Wisconsin.