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What should I do if a dog attacks me?
What types of injuries can occur during a dog
attack?
What are the laws surrounding responsibility
for dog bites or attacks?
Does Massachusetts have a “Dangerous Dog
Statute”?
What causes a dog to attack?
Will I get rabies if a dog viciously bites me?
What can I do if a loved one wrongfully died
due to a dog attack?
What is the most dangerous breed of dog?
I was attacked by a dog and now am suffering
from depression. What is the cause of this?
Should I contact a lawyer if a dog has attacked
me?
What should I do if a dog attacks me?
The following are the steps you should take if attacked by an
animal.
-
Seek medical attention.
-
Report the dog bite or
attack to the proper authorities.
-
Photograph the wounded
area.
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Write down names and
contact info for any witnesses.
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Contact an experienced
dog bite attorney to handle your case.
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What types of
injuries can occur during a dog attack?
No matter what the reason for the attack, a victim can sustain
terrible injuries including:
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What are the
laws surrounding responsibility for dog bites or attacks?
If a dog injures a person, the dog’s owner will be liable
for damages. In order for the owner to be held liable, the
victim must not have committed a trespass or other tort, nor
tease, torment, or abuse the dog at the time of the injury. In
cases where the victim is less than seven years old, the law
presumes that the child was not committing a trespass or other
tort and the burden of proof is on the defendant.
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Does
Massachusetts have a “Dangerous Dog Statute”?
Massachusetts does not have a Dangerous Dog Statute. In
Massachusetts, local authorities can issue orders regarding
control of certain dogs. If a local authority issues a dog to be
restrained, and the dog thereafter injures a person, the dog’s
owner will be liable for triple the amount of damages sustained.
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What causes a
dog to attack?
Dog bites usually occur because the dog has been startled,
interrupted from eating, or disturbed while caring for puppies.
It is important to remember that dogs are still animals with
animal instincts. Dogs while playing with them even accidentally
bite people. For example, a dog may lunge for a ball, miss the
ball, and instead end up biting the arm of the person whom was
playing with the dog. However, sometimes dog bites occur as a
result of the negligence of a dog owner. The dog bites someone
without provocation or warning, or because the owner has not
properly restrained their dog.
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Will I get rabies if a dog viciously bites
me?
Not necessarily. However, you should seek medical attention
immediately. Rabies is a virus that affects the nervous system
(the brain and spinal cord.) Rabies is 100% fatal if it is not
treated before symptoms appear. Since rabid dogs can spread the
disease through their saliva, a victim of a dog bite may be
exposed to rabies when bitten. Do not assume that all pet owners
have their dogs properly vaccinated against rabies.
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What can I do if a loved one wrongfully
died due to a dog attack?
In most cases, the deceased’s spouse, children, or parents can
file a wrongful death action for money lost because of the
deceased’s death. The amount of money that can be recovered
equals the monetary loss suffered by the family members who are
now deprived of that part of the decedent's earnings. These
beneficiaries may also recover money damages for hospital,
nursing, medical, funeral and estate administration expenses
that they had to pay because of the injuries that resulted in
the injured person's death.
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What is the most dangerous breed of dog?
In 2000, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that 25
breeds of dogs were involved in 238 fatal dog bites from
1979-1998. More than 50% of the deaths where the breed was known
were caused by Pit Bull type dogs and Rottweilers. However, it
is estimated that German Shepherds are the mostly likely breeds
of dog to bite.
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I was attacked
by a dog and now am suffering from depression. What is the cause
of this?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder
that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic
event. The disorder usually develops within 90 days of the
trauma, but may take longer to develop. According to the
American Psychiatric Association, typical symptoms last
approximately 3 months. Others may experience symptoms that come
and go over several years. Common symptoms of post-traumatic
stress disorder include:
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Recurring, intrusive,
and distressing memories of the event (e.g. flash backs, panic
attacks, etc.)
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Avoiding situations
that remind you of the event
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Becoming emotionally
numb and withdrawing
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Difficulty sleeping and
concentrating
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Fearing for your
personal safety
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Should I contact a lawyer if a dog has
attacked me?
Yes. You should first contact your local animal control and the
police department. Then you should immediately contact an
attorney to learn your rights. An experienced dog bite attorney
can help you recover more in damages and help you get your life
back on track.
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