What To Do With An Aggressive Dog That Bites in New York?

Dog bites can result in very expensive medical bills and a terrible experience. If you ever encounter yourself with an aggressive dog, the best thing you can do is to alert the owner or keeper and make sure they control their dog. Nonetheless, in many cases, dogs bite other people because the owners are not able to control them or they are not present. If the dog is barking at you, you can try to move slowly to get away from them. Do not run or scream, that may cause the dog to become more nervous and aggressive. If you were bitten by a dog, you need to get the owner or keeper’s contact information. Wash the wound as soon as possible, it is fairly common that wounds caused by dog bites get infected. Call 311, immediately, you might need a rabies vaccine. 

In New York City, dog bite incidents resulted in over 6,000 emergency room visits in 2014. The majority of dog bite victims are children and the elderly. Dog bites are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries in children. In 2018, 39 individuals died as a result of dog bites in the state of New York. 

When is a dog “dangerous” according to New York Law?

According to New York Law, these are the two main characteristics of a “dangerous dog”:

• A dog can be deemed as dangerous if it has attacked and caused injuries or death to a person, companion animal, or farm animal with no justification or reasonable explanation. 
• If the dog shows aggressive behavior that leads a reasonable person to believe that the dog can cause injuries or death without justification. 

If the case goes to court, the plaintiff may present further evidence to prove that the dog is dangerous. A previous dog bite incident may cause the court to believe that the dog is, in fact, dangerous. Nevertheless, the dog shall not be declared dangerous if the defendant is able to prove that: 

• The dog attacked an individual that was trespassing the defendant’s property.
• The dog was provoked or was a victim of assault or abuse.
• The dog was protecting itself or was reacting to pain or suffering.
• The dog was protecting its offspring.
• The person who was bitten had previously abused the dog, leaving it traumatized.

Can I be sued if my dog bites another dog?

Yes, you can be sued if your dog assaults another dog and that dog is hurt or killed as a result of the attack. Fines or prison time may be imposed on the dog’s owner. The severity of the injuries and the dog’s history will determine the sanctions. A judge may order the dog’s euthanasia if it was previously declared dangerous. 

What is New York’s dog bite law?

In New York, dog owners can be held liable for all medical expenses caused by a dog attack. The plaintiff does not need to prove that the dog owner was negligent to recover compensation if the dog injured or killed a person, pet, or farm animal. 

The victim may also be able to recover compensation for pain and suffering, emotional damage, lost wages, and even punitive damages if they are able to prove that the owner was aware of the dog’s vicious propensities or dangerous tendencies. 

What happens if my dog bites someone in NY?

Similar to the scenario where a dog attacks another dog, if your dog bites another person, you can be sued. If the judge determines that your dog is dangerous, you will have to pay for the injured person’s medical bills.

Depending on the situation you could face up to 90 days of imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,500, and the jury may award the plaintiff compensation for other damages. Euthanasia can also be ordered by the judge.

When should I contact a New York dog bite attorney?

After a dog attack, one of your first responsibilities should be to contact a dog bite attorney. After you’ve gotten the contact information for the dog owner and had your injuries treated, the next step is to contact an attorney. If the dog that attacked you was not provoked and you believe that the incident has no justification you might be entitled to compensation.

When it comes to dog bites incidents, New York laws are outdated in comparison to other states. If you aim to pursue fair compensation for your injuries, seeking the assistance of a dog bite attorney is absolutely necessary.

How do I report an aggressive dog in NY?

To report an aggressive dog in New York, you should contact your local dog control officer or the police. You will have to make a complaint to them. The dog control officer or the police officer will ask for the details of the incident. Once they have the details they will let you know what the next steps are to provide a statement to a judge.

If the officers believe that the dog is dangerous, they will report that to a judge. Regardless of who submits the complaint to the judge, they will investigate the case and decide if the dog can be deemed as dangerous and the penalties that the owner will face in case they are found guilty. 

What you should do if you’re bitten by a dog?

If you were bitten by a dog, first you will need to make sure that the owners are aware of the incident. You will need to gather their names, phone numbers, and liability insurance policy (if they have one). Next, you will need to seek medical assistance for your injuries. Make sure to keep all medical records related to the incident. They can be used as evidence in the future.

Following this, contact a personal injury lawyer. Having someone that knows about New York laws and has experience handling dog bites cases will be very helpful if you wish to receive compensation for your injuries. 

At Greenberg & Stein P.C., you will find some of the best dog bite attorneys in New York. Our legal team has vast experience handling cases related to bite injuries and animal attacks. We understand how expensive medical bills can be and how terrifying that experience can be. Our attorneys are committed to helping our clients get fair compensation. If you have recently been attacked by a dangerous dog, contact us at 212-681-2535 to schedule a free consultation with a member of our legal team to review your case.

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