Pet owners have a legal responsibility to ensure their animals, including dogs, do not injure others. In Tennessee, dog owners have a specific legal obligation to keep their dogs under reasonable control and to keep them from running at large in public places or on others’ property.  If they don’t, they can be held liable for the injuries their dogs cause to others in public or on someone else’s property, even if they had no reason to know the dog had dangerous propensities.  Children, in particular, are at an especially high risk of being injured when dealing with an animal owned by a negligent owner. Here are just some of the ways that dog bites might be caused by negligent pet owners:

  • Improper or inadequate training
    • One of the most common causes of dog bites, by far, is a lack of proper training by their owner. Dogs need to be properly trained not to bite at people without reason, including training them to back down on command. This is especially important when dealing with children, who often may provoke dogs without meaning to, putting them at risk of harm. Even non-aggressive behavior of a dog, such as playfully jumping up on people, can cause injury, especially to children.
  • Lack of socialization
    • In addition to training, dogs should be properly socialized so they feel comfortable around strangers and other animals. This means bringing them into contact with other people and animals from an early age so they feel less stressed out in their presence. If a pet owner fails to adequately socialize their animal, it is much more likely they will excitedly jump up on others or bite them out of anxiety.
  • Lack of adequate fencing
    • While many dog owners allow their dogs to run around outside, most have the good sense to build a fence to keep them on their property. If a fence is not adequately constructed, or if the owner has failed to build a fence at all, the dog may roam around on their own. This increases the risk of dog bites or other injuries from them attacking strangers.
  • Failure to use a leash
    • No matter how well-trained a dog is, it is essential to keep a dog on a leash when walking them in public. Some dog owners, however, believe that training alone can keep a dog in check, and that a leash is not necessary. Sadly, this is often not the case, and many dog bites and other injuries might have been prevented if only the dog was on a leash.
  • Failure to address prior behavioral issues
    • When a pet owner knows their animal has a propensity to bite or otherwise injure others, and especially if they have previously been reported in the past, they are responsible for correcting whatever issues led to the injury in the first place. However, when dog owners fail to prevent their dog from injuring people multiple times, they can be held legally responsible even if the injury occurs on the owner’s own property. That is why you should speak to a lawyer with experience handling these sorts of dog and animal injury cases.

 

If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you should contact the Tennessee personal injury lawyers at the Keith Williams Law Group. With convenient offices located in Nashville and Lebanon, our lawyers will work with you to create a litigation strategy that protects your legal rights and serves your personal needs. For more information or a free consultation, please contact us at 615-444-2900 or visit our contact page.