Understanding liability when a dog attacks a child

Understanding liability when a dog attacks a child

| Aug 30, 2018 | Firm News, Personal Injury |

For many Nevada residents, dogs are an important part of their families. While animals can provide love and companionship to the humans who care for them, including a dog in one’s family is a big responsibility. Individuals who choose to have dogs as pets should take steps to ensure that their animals are prepared to encounter strangers and stay safe in different environments.

Even the nicest family dogs can lash out and bite when they are in unfamiliar or uncomfortable environments. A dog bite can cause a serious injury to a victim and, in Nevada, the victim of a dog attack may sue for their damages if they can show that the dog owner’s negligence led to the attack. It can be especially tragic when a child becomes the victim of a dog attack.

As any parent knows, children tend to have less self-control than adults. A child may not understand that they cannot simply run up to an unfamiliar dog to touch them; a surprised or threatened animal may attack and may cause serious or even life-threatening injuries to a child.

To this end, dog owners who choose to allow their pets to be near children should take precautions to prevent bites, attacks and other incidents. Using proper restraints to keep dogs under control is important, and if an owner knows their pet has dangerous inclinations, it may be best for them to avoid taking the animal out in public. When a dog attacks and a child is hurt, it is likely that the young victim will have the right to seek their personal injury losses and damages.