Washington Township Dog Bite Lawyer
What to Do After a Washington Township Dog Bite
Dog attacks in Washington Township often cause serious personal injuries. Young children are most at risk for getting bitten by a dog. Dog bites nationwide occur millions of times per year. Most are minor incidents, but thousands of dog bite victims require emergency room medical care each year according to statistics compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2014, New Jersey was ranked 10th in the total amount of dog bite personal injury insurance settlements.
Washington Township, New Jersey dog bites are often unpredictable making it hard to know what to do after you or your child have been bitten. Should you contact a New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer or handle the matter on your own? Friends, family and co-workers may offer conflicting advice. You may receive advice to do nothing, or to file a case against the Washington Township dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance policy.
The best approach after a serious dog bite is to seek legal advice from an experienced Washington Township Dog Bite Lawyer. If you or your child have been bitten by a dog, call or text me, Joseph Monaco, for a Free Consultation. I know New Jersey dog bite laws and how to put together a winning case.
What Types of Washington Township Dogs are the Most Dangerous?
There is no general consensus over which dog breeds are more dangerous. Some argue that any type of dog can be dangerous and that it does not depend on the breed. Interestingly, unneutered male dogs are statistically the most dangerous and likely to bite you or your child.
Many groups including the big insurance companies believe certain breeds of dogs are more vicious than others and are more likely to bite. In fact, some homeowner’s insurance policies have coverage exclusions for certain types of dogs such as Pitbulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds or Dobermans.
What Steps Should be taken After a Washington Township Dog Bite?
If a dog bites you or your child, here are suggested steps to take to protect your health and legal rights:
- Call for 911 for first responder help – Immediate medical care can be crucial especially if the dog is a stranger to you. He may have rabbis. Don’t under estimate the seriousness of the situation.
- Find out the dog owner’s name – Gather the name, address and phone number from the owner and ask for the dog’s license and medical history information.
- Contact law enforcement – File a report with animal control for Washington Township. Call Gloucester County Animal Control at 856-881-2828.
- Find witnesses – Eyewitnesses to the dog bite or events immediately following the bite can help protect your rights. Gather the witnesses’ names, addresses and phone numbers.
- Take photographs – Use your cell phone to take photos of the scene, dog and its owner.
- Do not admit fault – You should not discuss how the bite happened with anyone but your Washington Township Dog Bite Lawyer.
- Visit your physician – Be sure to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician. Many dog bites cannot be sutured because of the fear of infection. There can be serious health risks if the dog bite wound is left untreated.
- Call me to protect your rights – Only an experienced Washington Township Dog Bite Attorney can protect your rights including dealing directly with the dog owner’s insurance company.
Do You have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in New Jersey?
Many Washington Township dog bite cases are settled after negotiations with the dog owner’s insurance policy. However, others can also be liable such as the dog’s keeper or a landlord. A landlord can be liable if she knew the dog was vicious and failed to take measures so it would not run loose. Also, in some dog bite cases, a civil action may need to be filed with the appropriate Court. You have two years to file suit for an adult, or two years from a minor’s 18th birthday. This is known as the statutes of limitation. As an experienced New Jersey dog bite lawyer, I will examine the facts of your case and put together the best plan of action.
What is the New Jersey dog bite law?
New Jersey has a strict liability statute, which makes the dog owner liable under virtually every circumstance. There is no need to prove the dog was known to be vicious or had bitten someone previously.
New Jersey Statute 4:19-16 states:
The owner of any dog which shall bite a person while such person is on or in a public place, or lawfully on or in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, shall be liable for such damages as may be suffered by the person bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of such dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness. For the purpose of this section, a person is lawfully upon the private property of such owner when he is on the property in the performance of any duty imposed upon him by the laws of this state or the laws or postal regulations of the United States, or when he is on such property upon the invitation, express or implied, of the owner thereof.
Washington Township Dog Ordinance
Chapter 19-1 Definitions.
The following words and terms shall have the meanings herein indicated for the purposes of this chapter.
AT LARGE – A dog or cat off the premises of the person owning, keeping or harboring it and not securely fastened to a tether, leash, cord or chain or the like, not to exceed eight feet in length, held by its owner or other person capable of controlling such dog or cat.
CERTIFIED ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER – A person 18 years of age or older who has satisfactorily completed the course of study approved by the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services and the Police Training Commission; or who has been employed in the State of New Jersey in the capacity of, and with similar responsibilities to those required of, a certified animal control officer for a period of three years before January 17, 1987.
DOG – Any dog, bitch or spayed bitch.
DOG OF LICENSING AGE – Any dog which has attained the age of seven months or which possesses a set of permanent teeth.
KEEPER – Any person exercising control over a dog or cat, or permitting a dog or cat to remain on premises under his/her control.
KENNEL – Any establishment wherein or whereon the business of boarding or selling dogs or cats, or breeding dogs or cats for sale, is carried on, except a pet shop.
OWNER – When applied to the proprietorship of a dog or cat, “owner” shall mean and include every person having a right of property in such dog or cat and every person who has such dog or cat in his/her keeping.
PET SHOP – Any place of business which is not part of a kennel, wherein animals, including, but not limited to, dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, rabbits, hamsters or gerbils, are kept or displayed chiefly for the purpose of sale to individuals for personal appreciation and companionship rather than for business or research purposes.
PIT BULL DOG – A. The Pit Bull Terrier breed of dog
B. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed of dog.
C. The American Pit Bull Terrier breed of dog.
D. The American Staffordshire Terrier breed of dog.
E. Dogs of mixed breed or of other breeds than listed under Subsections A through E whose breed or mixed breed is commonly known as pit bulls, pit bull dogs or pit bull terriers.
POUND – An establishment for the confinement of dogs seized either under the provisions of this chapter or otherwise.
SHELTER – Any establishment where dogs or cats are received, housed and distributed without charge.
VICIOUS DOG – A. Any dog with a propensity, tendency or disposition to attack, cause injury or otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or other domestic animals as evidenced by its habitual or repeated chasing, snapping or barking.
B. Any dog which attacks a human being or other domestic animal without provocation.
C. Any dog owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting or any dog trained for dog fighting. This subsection shall not be deemed to authorize any such training or allowing any such dog fights.
D. Any pit bull dog.
Call our Washington Township Dog Bite Lawyers Today
If you are represented by me, I will aggressively handle your Washington Township dog bite case to achieve a maximum monetary damages award. This will start with a thorough investigation including a plan to get the best results possible. You should not underestimate the complexity of your Washington Township dog bite case. Call or text me at 609-277-3166 for a Free Consultation.
