Phoenix Dog Bite Lawyers
Attorney Representation in Phoenix, Arizona Since 1996
Choosing Your Arizona Dog Bite Attorney
Breyer Law Offices is a well respected law firm and our Phoenix dog bite attorneys handle dog bites in Arizona statewide.
Dogs have an important place in American culture and in the lives and households of pet owners everywhere. Unfortunately, not all dogs are trained, and not all are confined to their homes and yards. Each year, millions of people in the United States are bitten by dogs and are seriously injured, and sometimes the dog bites result in fatal wounds.
The American Veterinary Association's latest statistics put the number of dog bite injuries at 4.7 million. While many will people who are injured from dog bites will seek medical treatment, not everyone knows how to deal with the legal ramifications of these incidents. It is at these times that you want an Arizona lawyer who understand dog bite law.
Statistics for Dog Bites
The National Canine Research Council has identified 4 kinds of dog bites. The types of dog bites reported by The National Canine Research Council are:
- Unreported dog bites
- Minor dog bites
- Severe dog bites
- Fatal dog bites
An average of 12 fatalities occur per year as the result of dog attacks. Children are the most vulnerable, particularly those ages 5 to 9. Fortunately, the majority of dog bites occurring in the U.S. each year fall under the classification of minor, meaning that even if they do result in medical treatment, it is minimal, and there are no physical complications or lasting scarring.
Severe bites, although much more rare, have serious consequences. They are characterized by lacerations of the skin that result in prolonged medical treatment or hospitalization. Despite fluctuations in the actual number of dogs bites each year, the percent of bites characterized as serious has consistently remained between 1 and 10%. A very small percentage of serious dog bites result in fatality - 12 out of the 4.7 million bites that occur per year.
Arizona Dog Bite Laws
In Arizona, there are special laws that apply when a person had been bite by a dog. There is something that is called strict liability in Arizona dog bite law. This makes a dog owner subject to strict liability for any dog bite attach. Some elements of strict liability are that:
- The negligent party owned the dog
- The dog bit the individual
- Injury was caused
A dog owner has liability for a dog even if the dog has never bit a person before. A dog owner also is responsible for the dog's actions even if the dog owner did not know or think that the dog could be vicious and cause harm to another individual.
If you have been bitten by a dog, it is important to seek medical care as soon as possible. Even a minor wound can get infected and turn into a very serious injury. We have handled many dog bite cases in Arizona where there were facial scarring, broken, bones, disfigurement, and more. Dog bite attacks can be very vicious and cause very serious harm.
As soon as you have sought medical attention, it is important to report the attack to the local animal control. You can also choose to call the police department if you have been hurt by a dog attack. Once your medical care is under control, you should seek the legal advice of the best dog bite lawyers. We are experienced and can help answer all your questions so your rights are protected.
Alexis and Mark Breyer, The Husband And Wife Law Team, are well respected in the community for their successful results. Mark Breyer is a certified specialist and has been named Top 100 Attorneys by the Trial Lawyers Association. Recently, the law firm won Best Law Firm by the AFN publication. Call us now at 602-267-1280 for a free consultation and to make sure that you do not miss any deadlines that will destroy your Arizona dog bite claim.
