Owning a pet of any kind is a big responsibility. Pet owners must ensure that they are able to care for their pet. This can involve providing food and veterinary care as well as adequate exercise and cleanliness. One of the other major responsibilities that come with getting a dog is preventing the dog from causing harm to others.
In Illinois, dog owners are strictly liable for any injuries their pet causes. This means that dog owners are completely responsible for having such control over their pet as to prevent it from biting or attacking anyone else. Dogs with responsible owners are far less likely to ever be given the opportunity to bite. Irresponsible owners are more likely to put the dog in a position where it will hurt someone. If you were bitten by a dog, you may be entitled to recover compensation from its owner.
What Mistakes by Irresponsible Owners Lead to Dog Bites?
There are a few basic steps all dog owners should take to drastically reduce the likelihood that their dog will injure someone. Irresponsible dog owners may contribute to dog bites by engaging in careless practices like:
- Off-leash - Dogs should be kept on a leash at all times when they are outside their owner’s home or fenced-in yard. Because any dog has the propensity to bite in the wrong situation, it is important that owners have physical control over their dog by using a leash.
- Overwhelming situations - Many dog owners enjoy bringing their dog to public places like outdoor patios at restaurants or bars, outdoor shopping centers, or community festivals. Not all dogs are well-equipped to handle crowds and loud noises. Owners should be monitoring their dogs for signs of stress and agitation in these situations. Irresponsible owners may force their dog to remain in a situation that is distressing to the animal. Dogs who become overwhelmed may lash out and bite.
- Forced interaction - Skittish or fearful dogs should never be forced to interact with others outside of controlled training and socialization sessions. Puppies who were born during the pandemic may have had little or no contact with any humans save for the ones they live with up until recently. Reckless owners may force their dog to accept petting from strangers, believing that it will help the dog. In reality, it may cause the dog to bite out of fear.
It is on dog owners to ensure that their pet will not bite a person. Many, if not most, dog bites are caused by irresponsible owners.
Contact an Illinois Dog Bite Attorney
If you were bitten by a dog, Dog Bite Injury Lawyer - Mevorah Law Offices LLC may be able to help you recover compensation. Our dedicated Cook County dog bite lawyers understand the impact a dog bite can have on your life and will strive to make sure you receive the full amount of compensation you deserve. Call 630-552-6860 for a free consultation.
Source:
https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/dog-bite-prevention
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