Animal Attacks:
Animal attacks can be terrifying events that cause severe and lifelong injuries. The following article discusses dog attacks and general information about the laws in the State of Texas.
Texas Dog Bite Laws:
Generally, the time for which to file a civil claim for damages from a dog bite in Texas is two years. This is commonly referred to as the Statute of Limitations. Texas follows the “One Bite Rule” of general negligence requiring that the dog owner: (1) knew the dog had bitten someone in the past or acted aggressively; or (2) was negligent in controlling the dog or preventing the bite from occurring and this negligence caused the plaintiff’s injuries. However, if the bite was caused by a “Dangerous Dog,” there may be “Strict Liability” and you may be able to recover damages by showing that the dog was known to be dangerous. The categorization of “Dangerous Dog Breeds” is relevant. The following list includes breed commonly categorized as "Dangerous Breed Dogs":
- Pit Bulls & Staffordshire Terriers
- Doberman Pinschers
- Rottweilers
- Chows
- Great Danes
- Presa Canarios
- Akitas
- Alaskan Malamutes
- German Shepherds
- Siberian Huskies
- Wolf-hybrids
- Or a mix of any of the above
Criminal Penalties:
Texas law can also impose criminal penalties and a dog owner may be charged with a felony if: the owner “with criminal negligence” fails to secure the dog, and the dog attacks someone, unprovoked, at a location away from the owner’s real or personal property; or the owner knows the dog is a “dangerous dog” and the dog attacks someone, unprovoked, outside its own secure enclosure; and, either of these situations causes serious bodily injury or death.
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