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Who Can Be Held Responsible For A Dog Bite?

Any dog can bite. Bites are not limited to a specific breed or type of dog, nor are they necessarily an indication of poor training on the part of the dog’s owner. Dogs can bite when they feel frightened or threatened, or when they are suffering from neurological disorders. But sometimes, dogs do bite out of pure aggression. In any case, a dog’s bite can cause the victim to suffer serious injuries, which can burden him or her with a substantial financial expense as well as mental and physical scars.

If you or your child suffer a dog bite, consider filing a personal injury claim to seek compensation for your damages.

Wisconsin’s Dog Bite Law

In Wisconsin, a dog owner is liable for all damages suffered by a victim, the victim’s domestic animal, or the victim’s property as a result of a dog bite. If the dog was previously known to bite and cause injuries, the dog’s owner may be liable for double the amount of damages suffered.

The Owner’s Responsibility?

The dog’s owner is liable for all of the victim’s damages in a dog bite case if the victim can prove that the owner’s negligence is what created the situation where the bite occurred. If the owner can demonstrate that he or she was not negligent and that the bite occurred because the victim provoked the dog into biting, his or her liability may be waived.

It is possible for both the dog owner and the victim to have some responsibility for the bite. When this happens, the victim may still recover damages, but only if he or she is deemed to be 50 percent or less at fault for the bite. If the victim is deemed to hold some, but less than half, of the responsibility for a bite, the amount of compensation he or she may receive is reduced accordingly.

If Your Or Your Child Is Bitten By A Dog

Immediately following the bite, clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Then, cover it with a sterile bandage and antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.

Seek medical attention for the injury within a timely manner. In Neenah, a few options for receiving health care include Aurora Health Center and the Children’s Hospital of Neenah Clinic.

Work With One Of Our Lawyers

If you or your child is suffering from a dog bite injury, you could be entitled to receive monetary compensation for your damages through a personal injury claim. To learn more, speak with one of the experienced Appleton dog bite attorneys at Hammett, Bellin & Oswald, LLC. Contact us today at 920-202-8872.