Georgia is not a state that follows the one-bite rule, but it does have similar legal standards that a dog bite lawyer will enforce. In Georgia, a dog owner can be held liable if it can be shown that the owner knew the dog was dangerous; that is, that the owner knew or should have known that the animal was aggressive or was at risk of biting, and that the owner was careless in handling the dog or allowing it to be close to other people. This is often referred to as the “one free bite” rule, but it is not strictly enforced. It is more about whether the dog owner knew or should have known that the dog had a tendency to cause the injury in question.
Adoption of animals with previous owners may also be subject to liability, as some owners may not be aware of their pet's propensity for dangerous behavior. In addition, a dog owner can know that their animal is dangerous without having to document it. Georgia is not a strict liability state, but it does have a modified one-bite rule when it comes to dogs. A dog owner will be responsible for a dog bite if they knew their dog was cruel and did not take steps to prevent an incident.
Victims of dog bites and attacks can recover money from negligent owners and caregivers in Georgia, as long as they can prove that the owner or handler of the dog did something wrong. Proof that a dog was being attacked or provoked can be a successful defense in a dog bite lawsuit. A dog owner can try to avoid liability for bite injuries by trying to elevate one of several possible defenses to a dog bite injury claim. If you have been bitten by a dog or other animal in Georgia, contact an experienced dog and animal bite lawyer near you to learn your rights and options.
