Providence Dog Bite Lawyer | Animal Attack Attorney in Providence | Dog Mauling

Providence Dog Bite Accident Attorneys

There are roughly 75 million dogs in the United States. While many people may go through their lives without ever having to suffer from a dog attack, dog bite injuries are more prevalent than one might think. Every day almost 1,000 people in the United States are taken to the emergency room because of a dog bite, and roughly 35 people a year die from a dog attack. In 2009, there were 32 fatal dog attacks. Sadly, children are the most frequent victims of dog attacks and the bites are generally directed towards their faces.

We cannot simply blame the dogs for these alarming attacks and injuries. Many animals are trained as guard dogs, attack dogs, or even fighting dogs, despite the fact that it is illegal to train dogs to fight. These dogs are victimized every bit as much as the victims of their attacks, and they too are often severely injured or even killed in dog fighting rings as they fight for their lives. It is no surprise that many of these animals are ingrained with vicious behaviors and ultimately end up harming humans. Negligent and abusive dog owners should be held liable for their actions and lawsuits for dog bites and maulings not only compensate the injury victim, but also send a powerful message to deter Providence dog owners from fighting their dogs or training them to be vicious or aggressive.  

Dog fighting is a rampant problem in Rhode Island and throughout Providence. Of course, sometimes dogs that have never been trained to be aggressive or to fight will bite and injure victims, without any provocation whatsoever. Their owners should also be held liable in many cases, especially when they had knowledge of the dog's tendency to bite or when some negligence on their part attributed to the dog bite. What it boils down to is that if you or a loved one have been bitten, attacked, maimed, or killed by a dog, you should be entitled to compensation from the dog's owner or handler. Contact one of the experienced Providence dog bite lawyers above for a consultation regarding your claim.  

Rhode Island's Dog Bite Law & Dog Bite Claims Based on Negligence

Rhode Island's dog bite laws place liability on the owner for any bite that occurs when the dog is not confined. This is a strict liability law, meaning the owner does not need to know that the dog is vicious and the owner does not need to be negligent. The attack itself is enough to force the owner to pay. Damages are often higher when a dog has already attacked once.

It is important to note that a person does not have to be the dog's owner to be held liable for a bite victim's injuries. A child bitten at a day care facility for dogs could, through the child's parents, make a claim against the pet care center, even though the dog was owned by a third party who was absent at the time of the bite. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog bite, you should contact a Providence dog bite attorney to pursue your personal injury claims.

Providence Negligence Per Se Dog Bite Lawyers

When a statute or ordinance is violated and the violation leads to an injury, this is called negligence per se. The phrase "per se" comes from the Latin, meaning "through itself." In legal jargon, negligence per se refers to the legal finding of negligence, or fault, based on the simple violation of a statute or regulation. Essentially, negligence per se is a legal fiction wherein lawyers and judges are willing to hold a defendant guilty simply for breaking the law, even though negligence itself might not be present. Specific requirements are: (1) the violation of the statute or ordinance was unexcused; (2) the statute or ordinance was designed to prevent injury to the class of persons to which the injured party belongs; and (3) it has been deemed appropriate to impose tort liability for violations of that statute.

Negligence per se is frequently found in cases of dog bites, dog maulings, and dog attacks, often resulting from a violation of:

         (a) leash laws;
         (b) dog trespass laws; or
         (c) no "free-run" laws.

If you or a loved one has been bitten or mauled by a dog running loose in violation of the law of Providence or Providence County, contact a local Providence dog bite attorney immediately to discuss your options.

Additional Rhode Island Animal Laws

• 4-1-9. Animal fighting
• 4-1-10. Possession or training of fighting animals
• 4-1-11. Attendance at bird or animal fight
• 4-1-12. Entry of premises where bird or animal fights are conducted--Arrest--Seizure of birds or animals
• 4-13.1-1. Declaration of purpose
• 4-13.1-2. Definitions
• 4-13.1-3. Requirements for registration
• 4-13.1-4. Control of vicious dogs
• 4-13.1-5. Harboring dogs for dog fighting--Training dogs to attack humans--Selling, breeding, or buying dogs
• 4-13.1-7. Action for damages--Destruction of offending vicious dog
• 4-13.1-8. Exemptions
• 4-13.1-9. Penalties for violation--Licensing ordinances and fees
• 4-13.1-10. Legal registration drives
• 4-13.1-11. Determination of a vicious dog
• 4-13.1-12. Uniform summons--Mail-in fines--Prosecution
• 4-13.1-13. Liability of parents for damages caused by dog owned by minor
• 4-13.1-14. Severability
• 4-13.1-15. Use of the terms owner or guardian
• 4-13-15.1. Ordinances concerning unrestricted and vicious dogs prohibited--Leash laws

Family Bystander Mental Anguish Claims

Rhode Island law recognizes the right of bystanders to recover damages for mental anguish caused by witnessing an accident such as a dog bite or mauling, with the following limitations: the bystander must be an immediate family member of the victim, and the victim must have been killed or severely injured. The bystander must also be suffering from physical symptoms due to the distress. Therefore, if you have witnessed a close family member mauled or bitten by a dog, you may want to pursue legal action on behalf of the injury victim as well as your own claims for witnessing such a horrific event. Contact a Providence dog bite lawyer today to discuss bystander and mental anguish claims.

What Should You Do if You Have Been Bitten by a Dog?

1. Make every attempt to keep the animal in sight, find its owner, and obtain the owner's contact information, preferably verified by their photo ID.
2. Immediately wash the wound out with soap and warm water.
3. Make sure that you are up to date on your tetanus shots.
4. Seek the help of a physician or visit a local hospital.
5. Report the bite to the Authorities (contact information below). 
6. Seek the help of a Providence dog bite attorney, if necessary, and maintain copies of all medical records and other relevant evidence.

Where can you find a Providence Dog Bite Lawyer or Providence Animal Attack Lawyer to represent you?

Serving clients throughout Eastern New Hampshire, including Allenton, Ashaway, Attleboro, Bayside, Boston, Bradford, Cambridge, Chepachet, Cranston, Cumberland Hill, East Greenwich, Exeter, Fort Ninigret, Greenville, Harrisville, Hartford, Hope Valley, Kingston, Misquamicut, New Haven, Nooseneck, North Scituate, North Swansea, Pawtucket, Perryville, Providence, Rumford, Shannock, Springfield, Usquepaug, Valley Falls, Wakefield, Warwick, Washington, West Warwick, Westerly, Wood River Junction, Woonsocket, Worcestor, areas in the vicinity of Theodore Francis Green Memorial State Airport, and other communities in Providence County.

Call one of the experienced Providence Dog Bite Attorneys listed on this page for a free initial consultation and find out your rights.