Dog Owner Liability: When Is a Pet Owner Legally Responsible for A New Haven Dog Bite?

If someone is involved in a New Haven dog bite injury incident, the question of who is legally responsible is paramount. The answer, however, is not the same everywhere. Dog owner liability is governed by strict liability in the state of Connecticut.

In a strict liability state, the dog owner is held responsible for a dog bite injury regardless of whether they knew or should have known that their dog had a propensity for aggression. The law holds that if a dog bites someone, the owner is automatically liable for the victim’s injuries. There is no need for the victim to prove that the owner was negligent or that the dog had a prior history of biting. The mere fact that the bite occurred is enough to establish liability. Most strict liability states do have some exceptions, such as if the victim was trespassing on the owner’s property or if the victim was provoking the dog.

Since Connecticut is a strict liability state it is important to know what to do if a dog bite injury were to occur. If you take certain steps to make sure you have all the information you need you should be able to seek compensation without too much difficulty.

In the event of a dog bite injury you should take the following steps.

1.) Seek medical attention. Any time you are injured in any way you should start by seeking medical attention. This is the first step to make sure you are OK and will heal and recover from the injury, whatever kind of injury it may be.

2.) Document the scene. If you are able to, take pictures and get witness statements from anyone who may have seen the incident happen. If you are unable to, due to your injury, ask a friend or bystander to take some photos to make sure the scene is clearly documented.

3.) Get the contact information of the dog’s owner. This will be an important step so you do not walk away with knowledge of who you will need to seek compensation from after you have your wounds cared for.

In severe New Haven dog bite injuries you may need to contact the police department who will then follow-up with an incident report. If this is the case it is important to acknowledge all of the issues that occurred and led up to the incident. Answer questions honestly and completely so the officers have a complete understanding of the situation.

If you are injured, no matter the circumstances, you may need to seek the advice of an experienced attorney. Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will review your situation and work with you to protect your long-term interests.