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What To Know After Dog Bite Or Other Animal Attack In Illinois

dog bites

Dog bite victims in Illinois must deal with complicated laws to determine liability for the animal attack and what the case is worth. Learn more in this article if someone’s dog bit you, then our Illinois dog bite injury lawyers at The Law Office of Robert T. Edens, P.C., can answer any questions.

Illinois Dog Bite Laws

The Illinois Animal Control Act states that the law applies to injuries caused by dogs and other kinds of animals. According to the statute, if a dog bit you, you must prove the following:

  • The dog attacked or tried to attack you.
  • You were lawfully in the location where you suffered the bite or injury.
  • You did not provoke the animal.

If the above factors apply to your case, you may be able to file a claim against the owner. An Illinois dog bite lawyer can review your case and determine if you are eligible for compensation.

Dog Owner Responsibilities In Illinois

The Animal Control Act states that a dangerous dog is not on the owner’s property and does not have a muzzle. Also, it is not leashed or accompanied. Also, the animal’s behavior must present an unjustified and severe threat of injury to others.

The owner of a vicious or dangerous dog must keep the dog secured on their property always. According to state law, a vicious dog should be contained by a fence or similar structure so that children and others cannot enter the yard. Also, the owner of such a dog must keep it leashed if they take it somewhere that is not on their property.

Illinois Strict Liability Laws

You can base a claim on either negligence or strict liability with a dog bite or an animal attack. With strict liability, the owner is responsible for your injuries if the dog bit you without being provoked. Strict liability may be preferable when claiming because the owner cannot say they did not know the dog was dangerous. Some owners may do this to avoid liability.

The only exceptions are if you were trespassing on the dog owner’s property when the attack occurred. Or, you intentionally provoked the animal to attack. The dog owner may not be liable for your injuries in these cases.

Statute Of Limitations For Dog Bite Case

In Illinois, you have two years from the date of injury to file a dog bite injury lawsuit. If you do not file your case on time, you are barred from suing the liable party.

Contact Our Illinois Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

If you were bitten by someone else’s dog recently, you should first seek immediate medical care. Getting prompt medical attention is essential both for your health and potential claim. Then, you should speak to an experienced attorney about your legal options. If you did not provoke the animal, you may be entitled to compensation in a personal injury lawsuit. Contact our Illinois dog bite injury lawyers at The Law Office of Robert T. Edens, P.C. to review your case today, so please call (847) 395-2200.

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Which Breeds of Dog are Most Likely to Bite?

Some dogs look dangerous. Other dogs do not. Although the old adage says to “never judge a book by its cover,” there are ways to tell whether one dog is more likely than another dog to bite you. For example, the dog’s breed can determine its likelihood of biting a victim. Of course, never approach a strange dog without first speaking with its owner, always supervise children around dogs, and never assume that a dog is incapable of biting a victim. Any dog can bite, but certain breeds are responsible for more bites than others.

If you or your child is bitten by a dog, the dog’s owner may be liable for your damages. Consider filing a dog bite claim to seek compensation for these damages.

Pit Bulls

A 2009 study by dogsbite.org found that from 2006 to 2008, 88 people died from dog bites in the United States. Pit bulls were the top breed responsible for these deaths, accounting for 59 percent of them.

Pit bulls are not a specific breed of dog. They are a “type,” which can include many breeds. Dogs like American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and American Bulldogs are often considered to be Pit bull breeds. It is also not uncommon for a dog that is one or more of these breeds mixed with others to be considered to be a Pit bull.

Rottweilers

The study discussed above cited Rottweilers as the breed responsible for the second-most dog bite fatalities, showing that they caused 14 percent of these bites. Because of their intimidating appearance and large size, Rottweilers are often used as guard dogs.

Other Breeds

Like the breeds listed above, dogs that are used as guard dogs are more likely to bite victims than dogs that are kept purely for companionship. For example, German Shepherds and Doberman Pinschers are cited more frequently in bite reports than Labrador Retrievers and Poodles.

However, any dog can bite a victim and factors like the dog’s training and the victim’s actions with the dog are important factors in determining whether the dog will bite. In Illinois, a victim generally cannot recover compensation for his or her damages if he or she provoked the dog into attacking. But this rule is reserved for adults and older children. Young children cannot be considered responsible for provoking a dog.

The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, P.C.

Work with an Experienced Lincolnshire Dog Bite Attorney

Any dog can bite a victim. But certain breeds of dog are responsible for a greater percentage of dog bite cases than others. If you or your child are bitten by a dog, work with an experienced Lincolnshire dog bite attorney to file and pursue a personal injury claim to seek monetary compensation for your damages. At The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, P.C., we are equipped to answer all of your questions and provide you with the legal guidance you need to move forward with your personal injury claim. Contact our firm today to get started on your case with us.