Fatal Dog Attacks in Pennsylvania: Legal Rights and Remedies Dog attacks are traumatic events, which can cause not only lasting physical and emotional scars, but also death, especially for those most vulnerable, including the very young and old. When a fatal dog attack occurs in Western Pennsylvania, surviving family members…
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Rising Number of Attack-Related Deaths
A Persistent—and Growing—Public Safety Issue Dogs are overwhelmingly viewed as companions—family members, protectors, and emotional supports. Yet beneath that cultural reality lies a far more troubling truth: data from federal health sources show that dogs kill roughly 30 to 50 people per year in the United States, with an average of…
No Human Attacked? Might Not Matter.
Pennsylvania dog bite law has evolved significantly, and much of that evolution centers on how statutory violations translate into civil liability through negligence per se. As we’ve discussed elsewhere on this site, Pennsylvania courts recognize negligence per se when a defendant violates a statute designed to protect a…
Dog Bite Investigation & Right to Know (RTK) Requests in PA
Investigating Dog Bite Claims Canine attack cases often begin with very little reliable information. A victim may know only the dog owner’s first name, a vague description of the animal, or the location where the attack occurred. In transient settings—public parks, sidewalks, or apartment complexes—the alleged owner may be a…
Help! Victims Need Timely Information About Rabies After a Dog Bite
Dog bite cases are often viewed primarily through the lens of personal injury law. However, every attack is also a potential rabies exposure event. In Pennsylvania, animal control—under the County Department of Health and not the police—determines whether the biting dog might have rabies. Unfortunately, we are seeing an…
When A Canine Owner Destroys Evidence in PA
What happens if a dog owner destroys evidence you need to build a case against him for your injuries from an attack? Can you file a separate lawsuit for the destruction of evidence in PA? Let’s say, for example, you’re on a walking trail and you see a man walking…
Actual Proof of Comparative Negligence: PA Canine Injury
We have written about how a dog bite victim’s own careless conduct (or comparative negligence) can jeopardize the value of her claim for injuries. Here, we discuss the proof needed to show the Plaintiff had been “comparatively negligent” when attacked by a canine. In other words, what type of mistake on the part…
Who Pays the Interest on the Amount Owed?
Let’s say you have a good case for compensation for your injuries from someone else’s animal; you’re entitled to money, possibly six figures: does the canine owner also owe you prejudgment interest on the money, going back to the date of the bite? After all, cases in litigation can take…
Evidence (Not Allegations) Wins Canine Bite Cases
Evidence is Needed to Prove a Dangerous Dog Claim or Defense “Talk is cheap,” as we know. In truth, anyone can point the finger and say anything — at any time — about anyone. It’s “free,” as in “free speech.” In fact, it’s (practically) free to make your allegations in…
Psychological Effect on a Parent and Their Options
Psychological Impact on Parents Having helped child victims of dog bites for nearly 30 years, we decided to write about the emotional impact on parents when their child is involved in a dog attack, because attacks on young ones are so common in Pennsylvania. Let’s first talk about a parent’s…