Insurance Journal reports that the average dog bite claim is over $24,000 in 2007, with claims totaling $356.2 million. That’s an increase of over 10% from 2006.
How does this affect you? Well, you need to be aware of the three types of laws governing pets and which ones affect you:
Dog-bite statute: The dog owner is automatically liable for any injury or property damage the dog causes, even without provocation.
“One-bite” rule: In some states, the owner is not held liable for the first bite the dog inflicts. Once an animal has demonstrated vicious behavior, such as biting or otherwise displaying a “vicious propensity”, the owner can be held liable. Some states have moved away from the one-bite rule and hold owners responsible for any injury, regardless of whether the animal has previously bitten someone.
Negligence laws: The dog owner is liable if the injury occurred because the dog owner was unreasonably careless (negligent) in controlling the dog.