Have you suffered injuries from a dog bite?
Man's best friend doesn't always act the part.
Dogs are often beloved members of our family. But even a familiar dog can bite, and when an animal attacks, the physical and emotional consequences can be serious.
A dog bite can happen in seconds and leave injuries that last far longer—puncture wounds, nerve damage, infection, permanent scarring, and disfigurement.
The emotional effects of an unexpected attack can linger too. Bite victims often develop anxiety, nightmares, fear of dogs, or discomfort returning to the place where the attack happened. For children especially, a frightening dog attack or visible scar can have an impact long after the physical wounds have healed.
If you or a family member has been injured by a dog in Virginia, Attorney Amy Harber can help you understand your options & whether you may have a viable personal injury claim.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Virginia
If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite, it’s important to seek appropriate medical care and document what happened. Take photographs of your injuries and the location of the attack. It’s also imperative to obtain the dog owner's contact information, the dog’s shot records if available, and get contact information for any witnesses (including dog walkers!).
You should also report the attack to local animal control and/or law enforcement. An animal control report can help document the incident and may uncover important information about the dog's history, including prior complaints or attacks. That history is particularly important to determine whether the dog owner is responsible for the injured person’s damages.
When can a dog owner be liable for injuries?
An owner can be liable for injuries caused by their dog in several different circumstances, including:
When the owner knew or should have known that the dog had dangerous or aggressive tendencies - either through prior bites, attacks on other animals, complaints, or warnings;
When the owner/dog was in violation of local or statewide leash or safety ordinances;
When the owner was contractually responsible for maintaining a safe premises for tenants and/or guests;
An experienced dog bite attorney can investigate and analyze the circumstances of the attacking pet and pet owner. Freedom of Information Act requests, subpoenas, and other tools can unearth a history of previous bites, prior aggressive behavior, attacks on other animals, complaints, or warnings relevant to the legal analysis of your claim.
Important Virginia Dog Laws
Va. Code § 3.2-6539 — Local leash laws. Virginia authorizes cities and counties to adopt ordinances requiring dogs to be leashed or otherwise restrained. Whether a leash was legally required can depend on where the attack occurred.
Va. Code § 3.2-6538 — Dogs running at large. Localities can also prohibit dogs from “running at large.” The law considers a dog as running at large when it is roaming off its owner’s or custodian’s property and is not under that person's immediate control.
Va. Code § 3.2-6540 — Dangerous dogs. Virginia law permits animal control or law enforcement to seek a judicial finding that a dog is dangerous. A court can also order restitution for the injured party’s actual damages, without preventing the injured party from pursuing separate civil injury claim. If the Court finds the dog is dangerous, the owner has enhanced identification and registration requirements and must carry additional liability insurance to specifically cover animal bites.
Don’t wait to contact a dog bite attorney.
Harber Legal represents people injured by the negligence of others, including victims of dog bites and dog attacks in Northern Virginia. If you or your child has suffered injuries in a dog attack, call Attorney Amy Harber & let her help you handle what’s next so you can focus on healing.