Animal control records can be a valuable source of information when processing a claim related to a dog bite. The animal control officer in the field will typically take statements from the dog's owner and neighbors, which can be used to determine the cause of the incident. The Florida Department of Health encourages all Floridians to learn how to avoid dog bites. However, if a dog bite does occur, it is important to understand the legal implications.
In addition to civil liabilities, dog owners may also be subject to criminal penalties, particularly if their dog is considered a dangerous animal. If a dog has previously attacked someone, it may have been declared a dangerous dog and criminal penalties are more likely to apply. Even if the dog has not been declared dangerous before, criminal charges may still be brought if the attack is considered serious. Most of the time these criminal charges will be misdemeanors, but felony charges may apply in cases of serious injury or death.
Florida has a statute of limitations governing how long a person has to file a lawsuit after being injured by a dog bite.When quarantining a dog is required, it is common for the animal to be placed elsewhere during this process. Local exemptions may be adopted that allow customers' dogs to be within certain designated outdoor portions of establishments public food service. However, in order for an injured person to recover damages under Florida's dog bite law, they must have been legally at the location where the bite occurred. All employees of public food service establishments must wash their hands immediately after touching, petting or otherwise handling dogs.Under Florida law, dog owners are liable for any harm caused by their dogs to people or animals included in the definitions of pet and livestock as provided in s.
According to statistics, most dog bites (86 percent) involving children under the age of 6 were from dogs known to the family, and more than half occurred at home. Dogs that were off their owner's property and off leash were the source of approximately one-third (32 percent) of all reported dog bites, and the majority (89 percent) involved dogs unknown to the victim.A dog bite injury lawsuit would be considered a personal injury lawsuit, and Florida's statute of limitations for personal injury cases (section 95, 1 of the Florida Statutes) gives you four years to start this type of case (that means filing a personal injury complaint with the court). A defense that many dog owners will use is that they warned anyone who entered their property that the dog could harm them.The consequences of irresponsible pet ownership can be dire. Unwanted pets often become strays and suffer deprivation and death, resulting in high costs for the community and posing public health hazards.
A lawyer specializing in dog bite cases can help victims seek compensation for their injuries and prepare for legal proceedings.
