Dog Bite Attacks

Personal Injury Cases Involving Dog Bite Attack Cases

Dogs are wonderful companions. However, some dogs are dangerous and their owners are responsible to keep them contained and under control. Dog attacks are a common and horrific occurrence, and when they happen their owners are accountable. “The owner of any dog that bites any person while such person is on or in a public place, or lawfully on or in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, is liable for damages suffered by persons bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owners’ knowledge of such viciousness.”

It is also important to know that most Homeowners’ insurance policies contain exclusions against injuries caused by your pets, which means that your insurance will not cover the loss. If you have a pet, look very carefully at your coverage as the failure to do so could result in a claim being brought against you where you are not protected by insurance coverage. Your assets could be at risk!

Top 10 Dog Breeds That Bite Most:

1-Pit Bull

2-Cocker Spaniel

3- Rottweiler

4- Tosa Inu

5- Bullmastiff

6- German Shepherd

7- Husky

8- Wolf Dog Hybrid

9- Malamute

10- Doberman Pinscher

Dog Breeds Best for Children (according to American Kennel Club):

• Bulldog
• Beagle
• Newfoundland
• Golden Retriever
• Labrador Retriever
• Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
• Weimaraner
• Bull Terrier
• Boxer

Rabies Regulations:

Broward County:

Any person who owns a dog, cat or ferret in Broward County shall have such animal vaccinated against rabies by four (4) months of age with a twelve (12) month vaccine approved by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Compendium of Rabies Control developed by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, or approved by another organization as authorized pursuant to Florida Statutes.

The owner of every dog, cat or ferret shall revaccinate said animal within twelve (12) months after the initial vaccination. Thereafter, revaccination shall occur every twelve (12) months or every three (3) years based on the type of vaccine previously administered. Veterinarians shall recognize vaccinations for their duration of immunity as indicated by the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Evidence of a rabies vaccination shall consist of a fully completed rabies vaccination certificate in conformance with Florida Statutes signed by the veterinarian administering the vaccine. One (1) copy of the certificate shall be retained by the veterinarian for at least one (1) year after the vaccination expires, and the other copies shall be distributed to the owner and to the Division.

Vaccination is excused where a licensed veterinarian certifies in writing that a vaccination would be injurious to the animal’s health. However, such animal shall be vaccinated against rabies as soon as its health permits, and said dog, cat or ferret shall wear a registration tag as required by Section 4-11.

The cost of a rabies vaccination required by this section shall be the responsibility of the person owning the dog, cat, or ferret.

Palm Beach County:

Every person who is the owner of any dog or cat shall have such animal vaccinated against rabies with a vaccine approved by the United States Department of Agriculture in accordance with F.S. § 828.30. The duration of the vaccination shall be according to the approved label accompanying the vaccine as it applies to the particular species and age of the dog or cat.

Every person who visits the County with any dog or cat for a period of thirty (30) calendar days or less shall be deemed in compliance with this section by furnishing a current, valid certificate of rabies vaccination issued in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which they permanently reside. Dogs and cats without a current certificate of rabies vaccination must receive a rabies inoculation and be issued a County vaccination certificate.

Every dog or cat that is relocated to the County for a period of more than thirty (30) calendar days, must have a current valid certificate of rabies vaccination. The information contained on that certificate must be substantially the same as the County rabies vaccination certificate or the dog and/or cat owner must secure a rabies vaccination and a County certificate of vaccination.

Evidence of a rabies vaccination shall consist of a fully completed County rabies vaccination certificate signed by the veterinarian administering the vaccine. The Division shall provide the certificates to be used by the veterinarians. One (1) copy of the certificate shall be retained by the veterinarian for at least one (1) year after the vaccination expires and the other copies shall be distributed to the owner and animal care and control as directed by the Division.

If you have been bitten by a dog, contact us at (954) 913-CASE (2273) for your complimentary consultation.