Cambridge Dog Bite Lawyer

In Ontario, the Dog Owner’s Liability Act clearly states that the owner of any dog will be held under strict liability if their dog is found to have bitten or attacked someone and that person sustained injuries from that attack.

There is no burden to show that the dog had a history of violence, and any attempts by the owner to restrain or remove the dog will not be taken into consideration.

While these cases may seem straightforward on the surface, they can quickly become complicated. It is for this reason that if you have been bitten and injured by a dog, you should speak to a Cambridge dog bite lawyer. A personal injury lawyer can help build your case.

Reporting the Dog Bite

It is of the utmost importance that victims of a dog bite report the incident as soon as possible. This can not only help document the incident at the time, but can also help find the owner if they refused to provide their name at the scene.

Dog bites can be reported to the Cambridge Detachment unit of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) or Cambridge Animal Services. Often these two entities will work together, so a victim can report the incident to one or both, but they should know that both will likely get involved.

While the OPP will visit the offending dog’s owner and press charges if necessary, the Cambridge Animal Service will visit the dog and its owner. If necessary, they will be responsible for seizing the dog and if the police or Ontario courts decide it is best to do so, they will euthanize the dog.

Individuals that want to file a personal injury lawsuit to claim compensation for injuries they sustained should speak to a dog bite lawyer in Cambridge before even reporting the attack. This is a situation that can quickly become complicated, and the lawyer will be able to do their best job possible if they have been involved from the very beginning.

Finding the Dog’s Owner

This is one area that has caused the most controversy, with many dog bite cases in Cambridge coming to a standstill due to privacy issues.

Unlike when a car accident occurs, there is currently no penalty for the owner of the offending dog not providing their name at the scene of the attack. It is then not until the injured individual tries to find them that things can become quite difficult.

There have been several cases in Cambridge when the victim did not know the name of the owner or of the offending dog. And when they approached the City of Cambridge in order to get this information, they have been stonewalled because, under privacy legislation, they are unable to do so.

These cases will need to be taken to the Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, who can then make the decision to release the dog owner’s name. When this is the case, victims will definitely want a Cambridge dog bite lawyer experienced with the process to help them through it.

PURSUING DAMAGES

Dog bites can lead to many injuries. A person might end up with severe cuts that require stitches or that become infected. In severe cases, it is not abnormal to see broken bones and scarring can occur. Psychological injuries in which the victim develops a fear of dogs, have nightmares, or other anxieties about dogs can also occur.

In cases when a dog attacks another dog, the dog that is attacked may even die from their injuries.

While the owner of the dog that was attacked may be able to claim compensation for things like vet bills and rehabilitation, they will not be able to claim pain and suffering for the dog, even if the dog suddenly develops anxieties or aggressive behavior around other dogs. This is because dogs are considered property and therefore have no rights.

Talk to a Cambridge Dog Bite Lawyer

Getting attacked by a dog can be a frightening experience. Animal attacks can result in both physical and psychological wounds for an individual which is why you should get in touch with a lawyer. If you or your dog has been bitten by a dog and have sustained serious injuries as a result of the attack, speak to a Cambridge dog bite lawyer right away. The law is very clear about these attacks but unfortunately, the process is not always so straightforward.