{"id":3093,"date":"2017-11-13T11:13:58","date_gmt":"2017-11-13T18:13:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/az-personal-injury\/?page_id=3093"},"modified":"2022-09-29T15:53:20","modified_gmt":"2022-09-29T22:53:20","slug":"can-you-sue-a-dog-owner-for-a-dog-bite","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/az-personal-injury\/es\/blog\/can-you-sue-a-dog-owner-for-a-dog-bite\/","title":{"rendered":"Can You Sue a Dog Owner for a Dog Bite?"},"content":{"rendered":"
Being the victim of a dog biting incident can be one of the most traumatic experiences of a person’s life. At first you will no doubt suffer from pain and upset, but this can quickly be followed by anger and the thought of how this was allowed to happen to you. Although it may not be at the forefront of your mind when the event takes place, it is important to know your rights with regards to having been the victim of a dog bite.<\/p>\n
With every state having slightly different laws, it is key that you gain the correct information for here in Arizona in order to act appropriately and avoid further stress or confusion. Knowing your rights will empower you to make a decision on how to react, what options you have, and whether you really need to avail the services of a personal injury lawyer<\/a>.<\/p>\n In answer to the question posed, yes, you can sue a dog owner for a dog bite. However, this is not a straightforward process and there are some key points that you should bear in mind if you want to move forward with this action. The first thing to note is that in some states, dog owners are able to get away with their dogs biting somebody for the first time, and actions can only be taken against them for subsequent dog bites. But this is not the case in Arizona, whereby dog owners are responsible and liable for any bites carried out by their dogs, even if it is their first offense.<\/p>\n Time-frames are not something you would probably think to consider following a dog bite, but your time will more than likely be taken up with recovery and ensuring your personal well-being and mindset. You should be aware that there are time-frames surrounding dog bite claims in Arizona. Depending on the situation, some instances of dog bites will see you having to make a claim against the owner within 2 years of the incident (ARS 12-542<\/a>), whereas some common law rules will require you to make a claim within 1 year of the incident(ARS 12-541<\/a>). Acting quickly following the bite is key, and if you are unsure of timings that apply to your case then do check with a legal professional.<\/p>\n Location Matters<\/p>\n The location in which the offence took place is a key element in deciding whether or not you are able to move forward and make a claim to sue the dog owner. You are able to proceed with a claim should the offence takes place in a public environment, or in a private property that you were lawfully able to pass through or reside in. Do take into account that lawfully being on a property covers such instances as being invited to visit friends or for lawful work purposes. Location dependent circumstances that would negatively impact a claim in the eyes of the law would be whereby the victim was unlawfully residing in a private place, or whereby ‘dangerous’ or ‘vicious’ dog notices were clearly visible on entering the private land, but the victim ignored these warnings.<\/p>\n The Dog’s Temperament<\/p>\n Some people often question whether or not the temperament of the dog involved has any bearing on proceedings and whether or not the owner can be sued. It is necessary for the dog bite victim to remember that the owner’s previous knowledge of their dog’s temperament will hold no bearing in the case. For example, if the owner only knows their dog to have been well-behaved and non-aggressive in the past, this does not mean that they would be pardoned should their dog becomes vicious and bites a person.<\/p>\nCan You Sue a Dog Owner for a Dog Bite?<\/h4>\n
Dog Bite Statute of Limitations<\/h4>\n
Dog Attack Claims: What to Consider<\/h4>\n
Dog Common Law<\/h4>\n