Dog Bites and Attacks
Maryland law requires owners of dogs to act reasonably when keeping a pet. If the dog has displayed any vicious tendency before a dog attack, then the owner was on notice and can be held strictly liable. So long as the owner knew or should have known of the dog’s potential for harming, the owner has no defense to a claim of hard. Vicious propensities do not need to be a prior bite; even prior instances of growling or jumping up on people can be enough. Aggression towards other animals is not enough. If there is no proof of prior vicious behavior, a dog owner can still be liable if they did not act reasonably. Many counties have leash laws and ordinances that impose a duty on owners to control their dogs. Violation of these rules can be grounds for liability. Even landlords who permit dogs on their premises can under some circumstances be held responsible, even if it is not their dog.
Breeds to be Wary
Any dog can bite or attack, but there are some breeds that are more dangerous than others. In 2007, the American Veterinary Medical Association released a study showing that the following breeds of dog were the top 3 most dangerous:
- Pit bulls – instinct is to lock their jaw on the prey until it is dead
- Rottweilers – make great guard dogs because they are so aggressive
- German Shepherds – their intelligence and alertness make them top picks for police K-9 units
Breed alone does not tell the whole story. Often the risk of a dog attack is related to the manner in which the dog has been raised. Sometimes pet owners with good intentions rescue dogs that have been abused and have violent temperaments. Even smaller dogs can cause serious personal injury to the people around them.
Victims of Dog Bites and Attacks
No matter the breed of a dog, dog bites and attacks can have serious consequences. According to a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dogs bite more than 4.7 million people annually and of these, almost 800,000 dog bites are serious enough to require medical attention. In the United States, the groups of people that are attacked most frequently are:
- Children – most victims who require medical attention after a dog bite are children, many of whom are bitten in the face
- The elderly – after children, the elderly are the most susceptible to serious dog bites and attacks
- Postal service carriers – every year 2,851 letter carriers are bitten
If you or a loved one were bitten or attacked by a dog in Baltimore, Maryland, Pennsylvania or the District of Columbia and wish to take legal action for your personal injuries, please contact the experienced Baltimore dog bite attorneys at The Yost Legal Group in Baltimore, Maryland to schedule your consultation.
This entry was posted on Thursday, December 16th, 2010 at 8:20 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
