A “dog attack” typically describes an unprovoked incident where a dog bites, attacks, or causes harm to a person or another animal. This can involve anything from a single bite to multiple bites, scratches, or aggressive behaviors such as lunging or chasing absent any contact with the dog whatsoever. …
Death or Serious Injury to a “Fur-Baby” – A Serious Crime?
What happens if a canine attacks not you, but your fur baby, causing death or serious injury to your pet? Is it a crime? The answer is, yes, but not a serious one. This is true, even if others get hurt, trying to save the fur baby. In Pennsylvania, as…
Risks of Taking Your Case to Trial
When Trials Become Train Wrecks We always advise our clients on the advantages and disadvantages of settling a case before proceeding to trial, because an unfavorable day in court can have extremely negative outcomes. Even with a capable legal representative and strong evidence, trials inherently involve risks. Many things can…
Medical Mistake Treating Bite Wounds: Dog Owner Liable?
Can the person who harbors a canine that bites someone also be liable for medical mistakes that occur while treating the victim’s injuries? Let’s say, for example, your neighbor’s dog escapes their property and trespasses on yours, to attack you in your front yard. Clear liability. You seek medical treatment…
Expert Medical Evidence in Canine-Related Claims
The Issues With Using Expert Evidence We have written about what evidence you need to prove liability in an animal attack case in PA. But here we ask: when do you need the opinion from a medical doctor — which can be very expensive — to advance your claim? It may…
Can Ai Predict Your Pet’s Aggression?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming many industries, including the treatment of canines. For example, a smart collar can monitor a pet’s activity and health. But what about using Ai to predict canine aggression, especially on the part of a shelter animal with an unknown past? Using Ai to Predict…
Failure to Vaccinate Against Rabies | Liability in PA
Claim For Failure to Vaccinate a Dog Against Rabies Our Pittsburgh animal dog bite lawyers have written extensively about the various claims for a dog bite, but what about rabies vaccination issues? Can the Defendant’s failure to keep his dog up-to-date on a vaccination for rabies serve as an additional…
Speaking About The Incident: When is it OK?
Words You Say About the Attack It’s true that “anything you say can be used against you” in both the criminal context and when you are bringing a civil claim for a canine attack. But your words may be necessary, at time, without your dog bite lawyer present, which is…
New Case: Does Dog Breed, Alone, Deem it “Dangerous” in PA?
In PA, there is no “strict liability” for a dog bite, typically. Rather, there are only two ways a person can be liable (civilly) for damages caused by a dog bite. The first is, the failure to control the animal (by a leash or otherwise). Or, the person harboring the…
How to Report a Dog Bite in Pittsburgh & Western PA
We regularly advise victims of a dog bites at every stage, including how to report a dog bite to authorities. The focus of this article is how to report the attack to the appropriate authorities for investigation. Reporting a Medical Emergency First of all, call 911 for any medical emergency…