{"id":353447,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:59","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/does-the-type-of-animal-affect-a-bite-injury-case.html"},"modified":"2023-10-14T16:59:01","modified_gmt":"2023-10-14T21:59:01","slug":"does-the-type-of-animal-affect-a-bite-injury-case","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/does-the-type-of-animal-affect-a-bite-injury-case.html","title":{"rendered":"Does the Type of Animal Affect a Bite Injury Case?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Does the Type of Animal Affect a Bite Injury Case?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Robert Rafii, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Yes. Animal attacks, such as dog bite injuries, can result in different kinds of liability for animal owners. If you decide to pursue a legal claim for the harm you suffered, your rights might vary depending on the type of animal that bit you.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

If you suffer serious injury as a result of an animal bite, seek medical attention immediately. Later, you may be able to hold a pet owner responsible through a personal injury case.<\/p>\n

The disclaimer to remember is that different animals affect what kind of legal path you might take. A dog bite claim in Florida might be treated differently from a personal injury law case involving a bear in California. While certain pets can be leashed under ordinary circumstances, others may be undomesticated and vicious. Accordingly, each animal’s tendencies warrant a different set of injury laws.<\/p>\n

With all these variables to consider, you may want legal help with your case. A personal injury lawyer<\/a> can advise you based on your circumstances and the state or local laws.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Dog Bite Cases<\/h2>\n

Most states have enacted laws that are collectively referred to as “dog bite laws<\/a>.” Dog bite laws impose what is known as “strict liability<\/a>” on dog owners for injuries caused by dog attacks. Strict liability means that the dog owner is responsible for injuries caused by their dog, regardless of whether the owner was actually at fault.<\/p>\n

Dog bite laws<\/a>\u00a0provide a significant legal advantage to people injured by dogs. In states that do not have such laws, an injured person has the burden of proving that the dog owner knew (or should have known) that their\u00a0dog was vicious and could injure someone<\/a>. For example, under the\u00a0one bite rule,<\/a>\u00a0an owner of a dog should be on notice that their dog has vicious tendencies. Under strict liability dog bite law, however, an injured person only needs to show that the dog bit them. The owner’s knowledge is not an issue.<\/p>\n

Sometimes, an injured person may be barred from\u00a0recovering damages<\/a>\u00a0(even under a dog bite law) if the dog owner shows that the injured person either:<\/p>\n