Mesa Dog Bite Injury Attorneys
Attorney Representation in Phoenix, Arizona Since 1996
Mesa Dog Bite
Young children and senior citizens are the two most likely populations to suffer dog bites. Children make up almost half of dog bite victims, and seniors account for another 10 percent, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Seniors are more likely to sustain dog bite injuries because their skin is delicate and they are susceptible to injury in general. If you've been injured in a Mesa AZ dog attack, you need a veteran dog bite attorney to help you gain compensation for the trauma and expense.
Seniors and children have a reduced ability to read a dog's behavior and anticipate aggression. For seniors, loss of hearing or vision makes it harder to read a dog's warnings such as growling, posturing and showing teeth. If these signs go unnoticed, a dog may bite, seemingly without warning.
Children's naiveté and inattentiveness means they may not recognize aggressive behaviors and continue to play with the dog. For this reason, never leave a child unsupervised with a dog even if you think you know the dog well.
Seniors may have dogs that get little exposure to children. When children come to visit, they want to pet and play with the dog. This can be a bad combination. The dog does not have social experience with the rough handling and rapid movements of children. The child does not have the ability to recognize the dog's body language and vocalizations as warnings. The owner may not hear or see the dog showing aggression until it is too late.
Dogs show aggression for a number of reasons including dominance and territorial protection. A dog may think it is higher on the totem pole than young children or elderly people. This can lead to a dog attack. Sometimes they are territorial and protecting what they deem is their area, which can include part of your neighborhood if they have marked the area. Even sharing a walking route with a neighborhood dog may result in a dog bite injury.
Arizona is a strict liability state in which a dog owner is liable for a dog bite on the first instance. In some states, dog owners are not always held accountable the first time if the owner had no reason to suspect that the dog was aggressive in any way. Fortunately, for dog attack victims, this state does not have a "one free bite" statute. Dog owners are liable for the actions of their dogs regardless of past behavior.
If a dog has attacked you, your child or an elderly family member, you probably have many questions about how to seek compensation for injuries sustained. Call Breyer Law Offices, P.C. for a free consultation. We want you to have all the information you need to do what is right for your family. We will discuss any questions you may have and evaluate your case to decide whether you have a Mesa dog bite claim. Contact us at 602-267-1280, 623-930-8064, 480-753-4534, 520-624-4228 or en Español 602-222-8787.
