As a parent, you observe your child’s curiosity as they explore each and every thing they encounter. Having a puppy is a similar experience, as they are curious creatures that are learning about their environment. However, when two curious creatures encounter one another, it may not be a good mix. When your young child is faced with a strange dog, this can be a nerve wrecking matter, as it is challenging for you to anticipate how this encounter will play out. A dog bite or attack could significantly harm your child, even resulting in emotional trauma suffered by both you and your child.
In order to hold a dog owner liable for a dog bite in North Carolina, the injured party does not need to prove that the dog owner was negligent. This is because strict liability is recognized in the state. Based on North Carolina law, a dog owner is held strictly liable for any bites or injury caused by his or her dog. This means that the even if the dog has never bit or harmed another person before, a dog owner will be held liable.
When a dog causes harm to others, they are considered to be dangerous under state law. This not only results in civil liabilities faced by the dog owner, but they could also face criminal consequences. This is because it is illegal in the state to leave a dangerous dog unattended on their property unless they are confined or restrained, and it is illegal for a dog owner to permit a dangerous dog beyond his or her property unless they are leashed and muzzled.
It should be noted that there are some exceptions to liability in the state. This includes a bite caused by a dog being used by law enforcement, a dog being used in a lawful hunt, a dog working as a hunting, herding or predator control dog on the owner’s property or when the injured party was committing a willful trespass on the dog owner’s property or was tormenting, abusing or assaulting the dog.
A dog bite is a very shocking event to go through. When you or a loved one is harmed by another’s pet, it is challenging to move forward from this event. Not only are you dealing with the physical pain accompanied with a dog attack, but also you are now instilled with fear when in comes to encountering any dog. This can be a difficult matter to live with; however, taking legal action could provide some benefits. A personal injury action could hold a dog owner accountable and assist you with the recover of compensation to address the losses and damages caused by the dog bite.
