The laws have been changed, through Georgia’s High Court ruling, that a dog’s attempt to bite without provocation may be proof of that dog’s propensity to bite. In other words, there does not have to be a prior, obvious bite. A dog that snaps at a person may be considered a bite that missed contact. If a dog had snapped at a person, without actually biting them, that is now viewed as enough to show that the dog owner knew that their pet was a vicious animal.
Georgia Dog Bite Laws Changed
Changes in Georgia’s dog biting laws in the State of Georgia no longer require need to show that the dog had already bitten someone and the owner knew about it. Proving that a dog owner knew their pet had a propensity for violence or was vicious, without any documented reports, was often a difficult legal task to successful pursue as a personal injury claim.
Dog Bite Without Provocation
While the changes in the dog biting behavior laws allow for increased protection and ability to file legal suit, the dog and snap or bite needs to meet the following criteria:
- The person injured must not have provoked the dog or animal into attacking them
- The dog must first be considered vicious or dangerous, which may be easier to prove with the change in the Georgia dog bite laws
- The dog must be at large, or roaming free of fence or leash, through the careless management of the owner
Georgia Dog Bite Statute for Vicious Animals
In Georgia, anyone who allows a dog to run loose where it may attack, snap at, make physical contact to bite and cause injury in an unprovoked situation may be liable for the damages caused. Compensation for damages may include medical expenses, treatment, need for future medical care, loss of income due to inability to return to work, and numerous other compensatory claims.
Dog Bite Law Statistics
Approximately 5-million people across the U.S. are bitten by dogs every year. More than 800,000 of those dog bites require medical attention with half of all those receiving medical care children. In Chatham County, there are an average of over 150 dog bites reported for every 100,000 residents over the course of one year; this number in reality is much greater as these statistics do not include bites and other dog related injuries that typically go unreported.
Georgia Dog Attack Attorney
If you have been bitten, snapped at, or traumatized by a dog, protect your rights by making a call to Joel Baskin, your Georgia dog bite attorney for a confidential review of your case and situation.