New York City Dog Bite Attorneys

Dog Attack Injury Lawyers Serving Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island and the Bronx

Dogs might be known as “man’s best friend.” But in some circumstances, dogs can turn into very dangerous and even lethal attack animals. In fact, dogs bite about 4.5 million Americans each year, sending nearly 900,000 of them to emergency rooms, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Children are particularly prone to dog attacks and the most likely to die from their injuries, with 33 fatalities in 2010 alone. For kids, dog bites are the second most common injury requiring medical treatment, behind only playground accidents, according to the CDC.

Contrary to what many people believe, the majority of dog bites involve domestic — not stray — dogs. Most attacks happen on private property instead of in the street or in a public place.

When a dog attack happens, New York law allows dog bite victims to recover damages from the attacking dog’s owner under most circumstances, and homeowners’ insurance will often cover dog bite incidents.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a New York dog attack, protect your rights by calling the New York City dog bite attorneys at David Resnick & Associates, P.C., for a consultation. There is no obligation, so call today at (212) 279-2000 or contact the firm through our online form.

About New York Dog Bites

The CDC says that dog bites are “a serious public health problem that can inflict considerable physical and emotional damage on victims.” But the CDC also notes that dog bites are a “largely preventable public heath problem.” That’s because dog owners are frequently negligent in how they handle their animals.

New York dog bites frequently result in severe injuries to the face, with 31,000 American dog bite victims requiring reconstructive surgery in 2006, according to the CDC. Other common types of dog bite injuries include:

• Fractured bones;
• Puncture wounds;
• Crush injuries;
• Cuts and lacerations; and
• Abrasions.

Homeowners’ insurance companies pay out an average of $300,000 in dog bite claims each year, but the true cost of dog bites likely exceeds $1 billion, according to industry estimates.

In 2010, two breeds of dogs accounted for nearly 80 percent of all fatal dog attack injuries: pit bulls and Rottweilers. Other dangerous breeds include:

• German shepherds;
• Dalmatians;
• Huskies;
• Chows;
• Boxers; and
• Doberman pinschers.

However, a dog’s breed does not mean that it will necessarily be vicious and attack. By the same token, even the most docile breeds are capable of inflicting serious bites.

New York Dog Bite Laws

When it comes to owners’ liability for dog bite injuries, New York follows what is called a mixed system, meaning it uses both strict liability and the so-called “one bite rule.”

New York Agriculture & Markets Law § 121(10) has a strict liability provision that holds the owner of a “dangerous dog” liable for the medical costs caused when the dog bites a person or a domestic animal. In other words, if you are bitten by a “dangerous dog,” you don’t have to prove that the dog’s owner was negligent.

There are exceptions to strict liability, including when the dog’s actions were “justified” because the injured person was tormenting, abusing, assaulting or physically threatening the dog or its offspring. There is also an exception for when a dog was protecting its owner, a member of its household or another domestic animal.

“Dangerous dogs” are those that a judge determined to be dangerous prior to the attack in question.

For dogs that have not been deemed “dangerous,” an owner can still be held liable if the owner knew or should have known that the dog had “vicious propensities.” Such knowledge can be demonstrated by showing that the dog had bitten someone previously. However, a previous dog bite is not required because vicious propensities can also be established by showing that the dog snarled, growled, snapped at people, bared its teeth, attacked other animals or displayed other threatening behavior.

As you can see, New York dog bite law is somewhat complex. That’s why it’s best to consult with a qualified New York dog bite attorney like the ones at David Resnick and Associates, P.C. Of course, your first step after a dog attack is to secure proper medical treatment for the person who was injured. It’s also important to report the dog bite to develop a record of the incident, including a determination of whether the dog was vaccinated for rabies.

Were You Hurt By A Dog Bite In Queens? Call Our New York City Dog Bite Lawyers Today

If you or someone you love was injured in a dog attack, the New York dog bite attorneys at David Resnick & Associates, P.C., can help you recover the benefits you deserve, including compensation for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.

The personal injury attorneys at David Resnick & Associates, P.C., are skilled at evaluating dog bite claims and have a track record of getting results for our clients. Call our firm today at (212) 279-2000 or use our online contact form for a free evaluation of your case.  

We serve dog bite victims in New York City, including the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn and Long Island.