Dogs are said to be man's best friend, but we must not forget that they are also animals and capable of causing injury. In a split second, a dog's demeanor can change from seemingly calm to aggressive, and often without warning. Although we cannot fully understand all the reasons behind a dog's sudden aggression, the best we can do is listen to the stories of those who have been victims of a dog bite and try to learn from those experiences.

Below are some situations where victims found themselves at the mercy of a hostile dog. When considering legal action, it is important to factor in not only the injury itself but the circumstances as well. For example, did the bite victim wrongfully provoke the dog? Or was the bite victim completely caught off guard by the dog's aggression? Are the injuries sustained going to affect the victim for an extended period of time? Ask yourself these questions as you read the examples below.

Situation #1 — A Neighbor's Dog

The victim is on their property when they realize that a neighbor's dog is approaching. The dog is known for getting loose in the neighborhood, and is not always friendly. The victim calls out to the dog, hoping to shoo it away, when the dog begins to charge at them. Before they can get to safety, the dog reaches the victim and bites into their ankle.

It is obvious the wound requires medical attention, as it is extremely painful and bleeding. Once the victim receives medical treatment, they decide to address the situation with their neighbor, because it is the owner's responsibility to keep the dog confined to their property, especially if the dog is known to be aggressive.

Depending on the seriousness of the wound and how the neighbor responds when confronted, this may be an appropriate situation to contact a personal injury lawyer. A trip to the emergency room can be costly and the victim could be entitled to reimbursement. In more unfortunate cases, there could be permanent nerve damage, scarring, or other long-term physical consequences. The situation can also prove to be psychologically damaging to the victim. With all costs considered, a victim may decide to take legal action to regain their funds and be compensated for the emotional trauma as well.

Situation #2 – Breaking up a Dog Fight

The victim is aware that their dog does not mesh well with others and they actively try to keep the dog separate from other people or animals. The victim and their dog encounter a stray dog and are unable to maneuver away fast enough before the dogs lunge at each other and begin to fight. The dogs are interlocked, biting and snarling at one another. The victim recognizes the potential danger but there is no one around to help and they are desperate to protect their own dog, so they try to pull the two apart.

In the midst of the chaos, the victim is bit on the hand by their own dog. While the owner understands their own dog's behavior, they realize that if it had been someone else, the victim might not be as understanding and take legal action against them by contacting a personal injury lawyer. Assessing the risk of your own dog is important in avoiding not only injury to yourself and others, but the potential legal risk as well, as a victim may believe they are entitled to compensation.

Situation #3 – Encountering a Dog at a Business

The owner of your local mechanic leaves his dog in the waiting area during business hours, and for the most part the dog minds its own business and poses no threat. While the victim is waiting to get their oil changed, they drop a piece of candy that lands near the dog. When they lean over to pick up the candy, the dog lunges at the victim, biting into their lip.

The injury is severe and a trip to the emergency room is necessary. While the owner of the business tries to compensate with the offer of a free oil change, this is simply not enough as the injury is significant. Considering a business is not necessarily an appropriate place for a pet, a personal injury lawyer could help the victim address the issue with not only the business owner but their insurance carrier as well.

Talk To an Attorney

If you are the victim of a dog bite and are unsure if you could benefit from legal action, speak with a personal injury lawyer to explore your options. While it may seem like just one more thing to worry about during a stressful time, it can actually prove to be the relief you need to make a difficult situation that much easier.