Dogs might be a person’s best friend, but what to do when man’s best friend attacks? With a single bite, the lives of countless people can be forever changed. Despite the close relationship between dogs and humans, dogs can cause serious injury. That said, what is the law on dog bites in Ontario?
Dog bite incidents are governed by the Dog Owners’ Liability Act, which states that it is the owner or owners of the dog who are liable and held to a standard of strict liability, which means that the person is held accountable simply because the act occurred.
If you have been attacked and injured by a dog, you have the automatic right to sue the owner of the dog to recover damages.
To learn more about your legal rights and what steps to take after a dog bite, contact an Ontario dog bite lawyer.
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What is the Law on Dog Bites in Ontario? When
Man’s Best Friend Attacks
In Ontario, the
law for dog bites is governed by the Dog
Owners’ Liability Act. When a dog bites, the owner or owners of the dog are
liable for all damages that result.
Under this Act, the victim does not have to prove that
the dog owner was negligent or that the dog’s behaviour was in any particular
way caused by the owner. Only an experienced personal injury lawyer can
successfully maneuver through the various statutory and common law principles
to properly and fully assess a dog liability case to obtain fair compensation
for dog injury victims.
What to Do if Bitten by a Dog
If you are
bitten by a dog, the first thing you will want to do is to get the name of the
dog owner to identify the person at fault for the incident. Seek medical attention right away to avoid
infection.
The next step
is to contact a personal injury lawyer who is experienced with dog bites. To
facilitate your claim against a dog owner, you will need to provide your lawyer
with the name and address of the dog owner, in addition to pictures of the
wounds that you suffered as a result of the dog bite.
Claim Compensation with an Ontario Dog Bite
Lawyer
Dog bites are
generally covered by the dog owner’s home insurance policy. Under the law on
dog bites in Ontario, a court can also order an owner to have the dog put down.
The consequences will depend on what the dog has done and the severity of the
injuries.
Similar to
other personal injury lawsuits, you can seek compensation for the impact the
injury has had on your life. Compensation may include:
- Medical bills;
- Lost wages;
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life.
The law on dog bites in Ontario is quite clear. In the majority of
cases, the dog’s owner will be liable to the victim for damages. If you or a
loved one has been bitten by a dog, contact a personal injury lawyer who can
help you get full compensation for your injuries.