St Louis County Dog Bite Attorneys
Home > St. Louis County Personal Injury Resource Center > Dog Bite
Dog Bites
Missouri dog leash laws state that owners can be held responsible for the actions of their pet. When a St. Louis dog bite occurs, dog owners can be held liable for the injuries and damages caused. If a dog has harmed you or a loved one, it may be in your best interest to seek legal guidance from a skilled St. Louis personal injury attorney.
Missouri Revised Statute 273.036:
Dog Owner Liability
A dog owner in Missouri may be held liable for the actions of their pet whether or not it has had a history of aggressive behavior. Statute 273.036 states: "The owner or possessor of any dog that bites, without provocation, any person while such person is on public property, or lawfully on private property, including the property of the owner or possessor of the dog, is strictly liable for damages suffered by persons bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner's or possessor's knowledge of such viciousness."
Tips to Avoid Dog Bites
Not all dog bites can be prevented but there are a number of steps you can take to help reducing the chances of being attacked by a dog. Here are a few useful tips from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that can apply to both adults and children.
- Never approach an unfamiliar dog.
- Do not run from a dog.
- If an unfamiliar dog approaches you, stand still and make no sudden motions
- Avoid direct eye contact with a dog
- Dogs can be protective. Keep your distance from a dog that is eating, sleeping or caring for puppies.
- Do not pet a dog without first letting it sniff you.
- If you own a dog, never leave an infant alone with the animal, do not wrestle with your dog and speak to an experienced animal behavior expert if your pet begins to exhibit aggressive behavior.
Children and Dog Bites
Children are by far the most common victims of serious injury dog attacks. According to CDC statistics, children under the age of 14 have the greatest chance of being injured in a dog attack. The most common age range for dog bite injuries is ages 5 to 9. Children most often suffer injuries to their head and neck because of their height relative to the height of the dog. Older victims tend to suffer arm and hand injuries more often than head injuries. All serious injuries to children can leave permanent scars and may require expensive surgeries and cosmetic procedures all of which may not be covered by insurance.
Rights of a Dog Bite Victim in St. Louis
All damages suffered in a St. Louis dog attack may be covered in a civil lawsuit. Damages that are commonly covered by a successful injury claim include hospital bills, surgery expenses, therapy bills and time away from work. The St. Louis County dog bite attorneys at Page Law have a long history of protecting the rights of dog attack victims. Please call today for more information about pursuing your legal rights.
St. Louis County Personal Injury Resource Center
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.
