Owner’s Liability for a Dog Bite

If you or a child of yours has been bitten by a dog, give us a call today as you might be entitled to damages for the injuries suffered! The Bantner Firm has the trial experience to win!

Dog Bite to a Person

Under Florida law (Fla. Stat. 767.04), a dog’s owner is strictly liable for any injuries caused to another person by their dog. This is true whether the attack occurs in a public place or even in the owner’s home, so long as the victim was lawfully on the owner’s property.

However, if the owner has posted a “Bad Dog” sign in a prominent place on the property, it may preclude recovery. If the victim is under 6-years-old or the owner is otherwise negligent, recovery may still be had.

Dog Bite to Another Domestic Animal

The owner of a dog is also liable for any damage done to other “domestic animals” as that term is defined in Fla. Stat. 585.01. (Fla. Stat. 767.01).

A “domestic animal” is defined as any equine or bovine animal, goat, sheep, swine, domestic cat, dog, poultry, ostrich, emu, rhea, or other domesticated beast or bird.

Injury Caused by Dog’s Conduct

Liability for a dog’s actions extend beyond bites. For example, if a dog darts out into traffic causing a driver to become involved in an accident, the owner of the dog may be liable for the injuries sustained by those in the accident.

In one case, the owner of a dog was liable for injuries caused to a child. A wagon was tied to the dog’s tail by another child. Another canine caught the attention of the animal and it darted after it. During the chase, the wagon struck another child causing permanent injuries to the child’s leg. Jones v. Utica Mut. Ins. Co., 463 So.2d 1153 (Fla. 1985).

Give Hillsborough law firm The Bantner Firm a call today at 813.397.3965 if you or a family member have been injured by actions of another’s dog! The Bantner Firm loves dogs but, as best as we can, we want to make sure that you are compensated for the injuries caused by man’s best friend!