Dog and Animal Attacks

At Munro Byrd, P.C., we are big fans of dogs.  We have a couple mascots that often join us at work, so we understand why many people view dogs and cats as true members of the family with four legs.  But the reality is that animal ownership is a privilege that brings responsibilities.  Some people simply don’t take the care necessary to properly own and supervise their animals.  When an owner fails to follow certain rules or responsibly manage a more dangerous animal, they can cause problems for neighbors or personal injuries to people they encounter.

Most of these happen because of dogs, whether they be bites to a person, or injuries caused by a dog attacking another dog.  In most cities and towns, a dog owner has to comply with ordinances for licenses, leash or containment laws, and vaccinations.  When these are breached, they can be the source of a claim for resulting injuries.  Some counties do the same; others are more limited.  Fortunately, Virginia case law places a duty on dog and other animal owners of due care to take reasonable actions to prevent injuries from animals with certain propensities–behaviors that forecast a risk to others.

At Munro Byrd, P.C., we frequently represent people injured due to the misbehavior of animals.  We think it’s important to respect the rights to own dogs and other animals, but also to ensure that dog and other animal owners take reasonable steps to prevent injuries from those animals.  If you’ve been injured and are wondering what your rights and options may be, call us for a free consultation.