When Man's Best Friend Becomes His Enemy

Dogs are man's best friend because of their innate nature to protect and come to the rescue of their masters. They can be extremely loyal that it takes but one short blow on a whistle and they can stage an attack against any intruder.

Dogs are everyone's favorite pets. They love the pampering, which their masters give them that they reciprocate by wagging their tails whenever they see them. This is a dog's simple manifestation of its excitement that its master is finally home, and that it is happy whenever it sees him.

But dogs, no matter how furry and cuddly are still animals that cannot reason when it's hungry, mistreated or intimidated. When a dog is in a defensive mood, it can confuse anyone as its enemy, including members of its master's family or even the master himself!

It is not just a scene from the movies seeing postmen scamper away to safety from the fangs of an angry Rottweiler. In the US alone, dog bites register about 5 million cases each year; most were injuries suffered by children and some of these cases proved fatal.

Dogs come in different breeds that some of them are more highly aggressive than the others. Pitt bulls, German Shepherds, Doberman, Saint Bernards and Great Danes are some breeds that have exhibited an aggressive nature, thus they become dangerous when provoked to anger or irritation.

State and Local Laws on Dog Bites

Florida Accident Lawyers explained that the general principle on dog bites is to hold the owner of the dog responsible for any injury caused by his dog upon the person of another. However, different states have differing laws on dog bites that it is advisable for dog owners to get familiar with their state's laws pertaining to dog bites. Local laws should also be taken into consideration as these form part of state laws.

"Law of Strict Liability" operates like the general principle by holding the owner of the dog responsible for any injury that his dog causes on another, regardless of the absence of proof that the dog has propensity to cause harm. Most states in the US observe this law, but there are still some that adhere to the "one free bite" rule.

"One Free Bite" Rule does not hold the owner of the dog responsible for damages on its first bite however when the dog manifests a certain aggressiveness in its behavior and causes injury on yet another person, then its owner can be held responsible for damages.

"Law on Dog's Leash" imposes upon the owner to put a leash on his dog at all times, except when it is within a fenced yard or within the owner's property. In the event that the dog bites someone, absence of leash can aggravate the matter for the dog's master.

Common Law on Dog Bites

Florida injury lawyers held that there are US states, which still adhere to the principle of law, which states that the person injured should show proof of the owner's knowledge that his dog has propensity to bite or cause injury on a person. In the absence of such proof, the owner cannot be held responsible for damages except when the person so injured was a trespasser or has provoked the dog to react in an aggressive manner.

Insurance Law on Dog Bites

Your homeowner's insurance can answer claims arising from dog bites however if your dog shows vicious propensity to cause injury, your insurance company may decline renewal of your policy during its anniversary date.

To narrow down its risks on claims arising from dog bites, an insurance company may decline coverage on certain breeds of dogs that are more likely aggressive like the Akitas, the Huskies, Doberman, German Shepherds and St. Bernards among others.

What To Do in Case of a Dog Bite

Both the defendant and the plaintiff can benefit from a lawyer's advice. Florida injury lawyers warn that dog bite cases are not simple as they may seem; in fact, some people have declared bankruptcy because of a simple dog bite!

Plaintiff may claim for the following damages, whichever are applicable:

• Medical bills and professional fees as direct result of the bite;
• Wage loss while undergoing treatment;
• Damages for pain and suffering as direct result of the injury;
• Cost for surgical operation, whenever necessary;
• Other incidental expenses.

Precautionary measures such as having your dog on a leash or posting of warning signs near your gate can serve as deterrent; exposing your dog to people in supervised activities like a walk to the park or in dog shows will lessen its aggressive stance. But for your peace of mind, if it's just an animal to pet you are after, you may just get around with the small ones. For security purposes, you may settle for a burglar or fire alarm.

A dog is definitely a man's best friend, until it starts biting.