As the old saying goes, a dog is man’s best friend. These creatures provide companionship, service, and therapeutic value to owners and even the community at large. However, with all the great aspects of dogs considered, it is important to keep in mind that these animals are capable of causing significant personal injury if provoked, threatened, startled, or traumatized in some way.
Nevada law maintains stringent definitions and procedures in regards to dog bites and those dogs deemed “vicious” in the eyes of the law. The penalties and procedures can vary slightly depending on the severity and frequency of biting in a particular dog. While consulting with a personal injury attorney should always be your first move after being bit by a dog, this article aims to provide some general information for Las Vegas and Nevada residents.
Read on to discover what residents in Las Vegas and Nevada should know about dog bite laws in their state.
Nevada’s One Bite Rule
A subsection of Nevada law concerning dog bites outlines what is commonly referred to by a personal injury attorney as the “one bite rule.” This rule states that unless a dog owner was acting in a clearly negligent manner, the first time a dog bites a person the owner is not usually at fault for the incident. However, if the dog bites more than one person, then more severe penalties arise.
Defining ‘Dangerous’ and ‘Vicious’ Dogs in Nevada
When a personal injury case involving a dog bite goes to trial, the courts will look to determine if the dog meets the Nevada law’s definition of dangerous and/or vicious. Dangerous dogs are defined as those who have acted in a menacing way toward others at least twice in an 18-month period. In addition, these acts must not have been provoked by tormenting or inflicting pain to the dog, and the dog must have been off-leash at the time of the attacks.
After being classified as dangerous, dog owners must take certain actions such as increasing security to keep the dog contained, getting the dog spayed or neutered, and/or maintaining a certain level of liability insurance. For a dog to be classified as vicious in Nevada, the dog must continue to act aggressive after being classified as dangerous, and the dog must also have caused significant personal injury or death to an individual.
When to Contact an Attorney
If dog owners fail to take the required precautions after their dog is classified as dangerous, they may be liable for paying compensation to any victims who are injured as a result of a dog attack. In addition, owners who continue to keep a vicious dog are also liable for any injuries the dog may cause.
If you have been the victim of a dog bit in Las Vegas or Nevada, it is important to contact an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your rights to compensation. For years, the attorneys at H&P Law have been helping dog bite victims in and around Las Vegas fight for their rights. Contact H&P Law today for information on how to proceed with your case.
