Dog Owners Are Held Liable For Dog Bites

The state of Maryland, in the case of Tracey v. Solesky, has ruled any pit bull, or any dog with a trace of pit bull ancestry, is deemed vicious and inherently dangerous. This means an owner, keeper, or landlord with control over a tenant’s property, can be held liable for any harm a pit bull or pit bull mix causes to a third party.

In this case, an owner’s pit bull (Clifford) escaped from the property and bit a young boy. The owner simply put the dog back in its pen. The dog escaped a second time, the very same day and attacked a second boy, Dominic Solesky. This attack was more vicious than the first; the boy required 5 hours of surgery, spent 17 days in the hospital, and spent one year in rehabilitation.

This ruling has affected Maryland’s law in such a way, that if someone is attacked by a dog, they no longer need to prove the dog is dangerous. They simply need to prove the dog is a pit bull, or a pit bull mix.

It’s not uncommon for a dog bite victim to visit the emergency room. In fact, dog bites can cause permanent injury, surgery, and even death.

In the state of Arizona, the owner can be found strictly liable. Any person who is responsible for the dog at the time of injury may also be held liable for the incident.

If you’ve been a victim of a dog bite, an experienced Phoenix dog bite attorney can help you receive proper compensation for your sustained injuries. Contact an Arizona dog bite lawyer at (480) 648-8928.