Dog bites are a common cause of injuries, especially in children. An incident with a dog can lead to severe wounds, infections, scarring, physical disfigurement, and a lifelong fear of dogs.
When a dog attack leaves you with injuries, the law allows you to pursue damages from the dog’s owner. One of our skilled dog bite attorneys at Ponce Law can help ensure you receive compensation for your losses. However, preventing the attack in the first place is the best course of action. Learning the common causes of dog bites in Nashville is a good first step.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, a dog bite is usually a reaction to something. A dog in Nashville might bite when:
Dogs often nip while playing or when they feel over-excited. Like people, dogs’ temperaments vary; some are more inclined to bite than others. Just as some children suck their thumbs, some dogs like having things in their mouths for comfort; unfortunately, this can lead to unintentional nips and bites.
Some dogs are naturally more aggressive than others. While the breed may play a role, the dog’s environment, training, and circumstances are better indicators of whether it might bite.
Learning to read a dog’s body language is an important step to avoiding dog bites in Nashville. Dogs almost always signal when they are uncomfortable. Recognizing these signs, teaching them to your children, and following some basic rules about interacting with canines can prevent many bites.
An uncomfortable dog will likely tuck its tail, back away, show its teeth, or growl. A dog that senses a threat might pin its ears back, make itself look bigger, and make direct eye contact. It is best to avoid interacting with dogs that do not approach you with a relaxed posture.
Teach your children to interact with a dog only in its owner’s presence and to always ask the owner before approaching the animal. Children should know that if an owner discourages them from interacting with a dog, they must obey for their own safety and that of the dog. Children should also be taught to respect dogs and never tease or harass them—these behaviors can lead to bites and reduce the chances of collecting compensation.
It is impossible to prevent every dog bite or identify the reason for it. When someone else’s dog attacks and causes an injury that requires medical treatment, consult a Nashville attorney to learn your legal options. Dog bite laws are complex and fact-dependent, so handling the claim yourself is usually not the best option.
Strict liability applies when a dog attacks someone on public property or when the victim is on private property with permission. In these cases, the dog owner is responsible for the medical and property damage costs, regardless of whether they knew the dog had a tendency to bite. However, the owner is not liable if they can prove the dog was confined in a kennel or cage when the bite happened or that the victim provoked it.
In other cases, the “one-bite rule” applies. Tennessee Code § 44-8-413 makes the dog owner liable for a bite if they knew or should have known the dog had aggressive tendencies. It is called the one-bite rule because the dog’s first bite is often “free.” Thereafter, the owner knows the dog will bite and is liable for subsequent attacks. However, if a dog was trained to be aggressive or has a history of threatening behavior, a legal professional may be able to prove the owner knew it might bite and should be liable.
Failure to respond to a dog’s distress signals is the root of the most common causes of dog bites in Nashville. Dog bites are often preventable when owners follow the law and others use appropriate caution and respect the space of unfamiliar dogs.
You may be entitled to compensation when a bite occurs, but the rules are complex. Contact an experienced injury attorney at Ponce Law for help today.
