If you’ve been injured by a dog, there’s a chance that the owner could be held liable. The one bite rule states that an owner is not liable for damages caused by their animal unless they knew or had reason to know about the dangerousness of their pet. In those cases where this is true—and it happens frequently in many parts of the country—the owner faces potential legal trouble if they fail to take steps to prevent further attacks on others.
As general rule owners are responsible
Owners are responsible for any damage done by their animal. If your dog jumps on someone’s leg and scratches them, you’re liable for the damage. Also, if your dog eats another person’s food and gets sick from it (the owner should be able to provide proof), then he or she will probably need medical treatment as well.
Under the “One Bite” Rule
The one bite rule is a legal concept that protects an owner from being held liable for harm caused by an animal. Under this rule, if a dog bites another person and causes injury or death, the owner cannot be sued. The rationale behind this law is that it would be impossible for anyone to foresee all potential dangers posed by their beloved pet (even though dogs can be trained).
Under this rule, owners are not liable for an animal’s first attack.
The one bite rule is a legal defense against animal attacks. Under this rule, owners are not liable for an animal’s first attack. In other words, if your dog bites someone but you didn’t know about its dangerous tendencies and it was provoked by another person or animal who did know about its tendencies (e.g., by hitting it), then your pet cannot be held responsible for any damage done to that person/animal in retaliation after being bitten—even if they had been warned beforehand about what would happen if they came near your pet without permission.
When your dog already bit someone in the past
Once an animal has bitten someone, other people are on notice that it is capable of biting again. This can create a situation where you may be held liable for damages if you knew the animal was dangerous and did not take steps to prevent further attacks.
Owner needs to take required steps to prevent further attacks.
The dog should be kept away from people and other dogs. If you can’t avoid your pet being around other animals or humans, make sure that you keep them on a leash at all times when in public places. The owner should also be able to control the animal so that it does not harm others or itself (for example: by using a muzzle).
How to Show Owner Knew About Animal’s Viciousness?
If you can prove that the owner knew the dog was dangerous, he or she may be liable for your injuries. For example, if a person has been bitten by their neighbor’s dog before and it later attacks them again without provocation, this could show prior knowledge of the animal’s viciousness.
If there is no evidence that an owner was aware of any behavior problems with their pet (or if they were unaware), then it’s possible for you to bring charges against them in civil court under state law.
If you have been bitten by a dog, get medical treatment immediately. You may also want to speak with an injury attorney in Calgary who specializes in dog bite cases about the best course of action for your situation.