Nearly every week, we get a call seeking representation after a dog bite or dog attack. The victims range from Amazon and UPS drivers to neighbors out walking their own dog. Sadly, more than 50% of all dog bite and dog attack victims are children. Because of their smaller stature, children are less able to defend themselves and often receive facial and neck bites that often can require plastic surgery to prevent serious scarring.
Unfortunately, man’s best friend can cause serious injuries and can even be deadly. In fact, the 2007 legislative act that significantly changed Tennessee dog bite law is named after Dianna Acklen who was mauled to death while out walking. Read on to learn what to do in the event of a confrontation with an aggressive dog, your responsibilities as a dog owner and what to do if you or someone you love is bitten or attacked by a dog.
All dogs are capable of biting or attacking. While there are some breeds of dogs that are considered “bully breeds” and which have higher incidences of aggressive behavior, all dogs present some level of risk. There are factors that make dogs more prone to bite including a dog that is sick or in pain, a dog that is eating or nursing puppies, a dog that is startled, a dog that is fearful, a dog that is provoked by taunting or rough treatment, etc. If a dog becomes aggressive, stay calm. Do not run or scream. Experts advise it is best to stand still or back away slowly and avoid direct eye contact with the dog. If you fall or get knocked down by the dog, curl into a ball while protecting your face and neck with your hands.
If you are a dog owner, Tennessee law requires that you exercise reasonable control over your dog. If the dog owner fails to control their dog and the dog hurts someone, the owner can be held responsible for the damage or injuries caused by the dog, although there are some exceptions. You can read more about the exceptions here on our website.
If you have a dog that is aggressive, quite frankly, you have a problem. Extreme care needs to be taken to protect others from your dog. This may include keeping the dog in a kennel or a run during the day if you are expecting a delivery. You may need to put the dog in another room when friends or family are in your home. It may need to wear a muzzle if out in public. You should also confirm that your homeowners or renter’s insurance covers any incidences caused by your dog. If it does not, a separate policy specifically for dog including bully breeds is advisable.
Here is another thing to consider as a dog owner. It does not have to be a dog bite, and the dog does not have to be aggressive for you to be responsible if you dog causes harm to someone else. Dogs can hurt people even when they are not trying to do so. For example, if you do not have your dog on a leash and it runs up to another person excitedly and exuberantly knocks them over and the person breaks their arm, you are responsible.
If you or a loved one is seriously harmed by a dog, whether it is a bite, an attack or otherwise, we urge you to seek legal representation. Most injuries caused by dogs are covered by insurance and we can help you recover fair compensation. Our award-winning lawyers handle all dog cases on a contingency basis, which means we only get paid if we recover money for you. We offer a free, no-obligation initial consultation so you do not have to pay anything out of pocket to understand your legal rights and options.
Nashville: 615-669-3993
Murfreesboro: 615-867-9900
Brentwood: 615-742-4880
Toll-Free: 866-812-8787