As a parent of the child who has been attacked or bitten by a dog, you know that the injuries are often serious and disfiguring. Be assured that Arizona’s dog bite statute leaves little refuge for the animal’s owner, according to our Phoenix child injury attorney.

When someone in a public place is bitten by a dog, or is attacked by a dog while lawfully on private property, the dog owner is responsible for the injury and damages. Arizona’s statue applies if a child is riding a bicycle on the road, walking down the sidewalk, or playing with other children at the park, and the dog attacks and bites. And if the child is bitten by a dog at a friend’s or family member’s home, on private property, again the dog owner is liable. Whether the biting dog was known to be “a great family pet” with no history of canine viciousness is irrelevant under Arizona law. A.R.S. § 11-1025. There is no “one free bite” rule under Arizona law. When your child is the victim of a dog bite, you need to hold the dog owner accountable.

When the Dog Is at Large

If the bite injury occurs while the dog is at large in an Arizona community, then the owners of the dog or the person responsible for the dog at the time of the attack are accountable for the damages and injuries inflicted. A.R.S. § 11-1020. If the dog was not properly confined within an enclosure, such as a fence, or restrained on a leash, then the animal is considered to be at large. When a free-roaming dog bites a child, the owner or handler charged with the dog’s care and control must be held responsible for the injuries sustained.

Certain Dog Breeds Have Known Biting Propensities

Don’t think that only certain dog breeds will bite. Phoenix child injury attorneys will assure you that all dogs are capable of inflicting bite injuries. Any dog, regardless of size, personality, training, or breed, can attack or bite a child and cause serious injury and scarring. However, as experienced Phoenix child injury attorneys know, certain breeds are more dangerous because of their greater propensity for biting. Those breeds include Chows, Doberman Pinchers, German Shepherds, Pit Bulls, and Rottweilers. Pit Bulls and Rottweilers are statistically more likely to kill a child in a dog attack.

Dog Bites and Dog Attacks Cause Serious Injuries

The injuries sustained in a dog attack or dog bite can be very serious, leaving the injured child disfigured, needing long-term medical care, requiring multiple surgical procedures, and extensive physical therapy. For many child victims, the event is traumatic and inflicts emotional damage requiring psychiatric treatment and counseling. And for some unfortunate parents, their child will not survive the extensive injuries.

Our Phoenix child injury and child safety lawyer at the Law Offices of Shane L. Harward is experienced in representing families whose children suffered dog bites or dog attacks. If your child was hurt, maimed, disfigured and scarred, or was killed in a dog attack, then you need a personal injury attorney who will fight aggressively on behalf of your son or daughter. When your child has been injured, contact our office before signing any insurance papers. To find out what you need to do to hold the owner liable for your child’s pain and suffering, call 480.874.2918 for a free initial phone consultation.